OPEN THE RAFAH CROSSING
15. Feb.2011
OPEN THE RAFAH CROSSING
The situation for the hundreds of Palestinian men, women and children in Egypt who
have been trapped at the airport since Jan. 25th 2011, the beginning of the Egyptian Revolution, is dreadful and getting worse each day. Most people don't have money for food or medicine. Some of them went on hunger strike for several days. The vulnerable are getting sicker, and some are in urgent need of medical treatment. Other Palestinians are waiting elsewhere in Egypt to cross into Gaza, not to mention those waiting in other countries.
It has come to our knowledge that on Feb. 8th 2011 the deposed government issued new travel regulations regarding Palestinians to take effect immediately and until further notice. The following categories of passengers are NOT ALLOWED TO ENTER EGYPT even if they have a visa, security approval or a resident permit:
- Holders of Palestinian Passports.
- Holders of Jordanian Passports without a national number.
- Travel documents for Palestinian issued by Egypt.
This is unacceptable. All the Palestinians at the airport and those using the Rafah Crossing, the only exit Gaza has to the external world, are civilians. Under the Geneva Convention they are entitled to freedom of movement and to protection from
collective punishment.
The great sacrifices of the Egyptian people were for human rights and democracy. These demands are supported by all freedom loving people, who also oppose the suppression of Palestinians by Israel. It is time for the new rulers of Egypt to annul this decision taken by the previous government and to open the Rafah Crossing immediately, so that people and goods can pass.
OPEN THE RAFAH CROSSING NOW.
Jüdische Stimme für gerechten Frieden in Nahost
C/o Internationale Liga für Menschenrechte
Haus der Demokratie und Menschenrechte
Greifswalder Str. 4
D- 10405 Berlin