How does Israel decide who gets a visa to Ramallah?
Some visiting scholars received regular visas, while others receive 'Palestinian Authority only' stamps.
By Amira Hass Tags: Israel aviation Israel news West BankSven Ouzman, a 39-year-old archaeologist from South Africa, violated the terms of his "Palestinian Authority only" visa six times, when unintentionally and for lack of choice, he drove on roads under full Israeli control, between Palestinian Authority enclaves in the West Bank.
Ouzman, who was attending a conference of the World Archaeological Congress in Ramallah last month, was late for a lecture he was scheduled to deliver on the evening of August 9. He had arrived at the Allenby Bridge crossing on Saturday morning, August 8, after having passed through passport control on the Jordanian side and entering the Israeli-controlled area, but the Israel Airport Authority employees demanded he come back the next day. When he asked them why, "they were very rude and would not reply," Ouzman said this week by phone from South Africa.
Acquaintences later told him that such arbitrariness is standard on the Israeli side. Ouzman returned to Amman for the night. In the morning, he spent about two hours on the Jordanian side and about another nine hours on the Israeli side. "Then began a long process, go there, come here, lots of questions I found offensive, and a lot of waiting, especially waiting," Ouzman said.
Ouzman, is on the faculty of the ethnography and archaeology department of Pretoria University, and also teaches archaeology in prisons. He said that at the Allenby Bridge crossing he recalled an anthropological lesson he learned from teaching in prison, where the authorities intentionally break the monotony and shout at prisoners to disorient them. He suggested that this is similar to what he encountered at the Israeli-controlled border.
"They are all very young. You wonder what training they got; you can't get angry at them, they just obey orders," Ouzman said.
At one point, Ouzman showed officials at the Allenby Bridge his invitation to the archaeology conference, and gave them the phone number of one of the organizers, Adel Yahya from Ramallah. The clerks called Yahya, and asked for the list of conference participants. Ten guest lecturers (out of about 20) had come through Allenby, three of whom were Turkish citizens. Two of the Turkish nationals were refused entry, Yahya said, and the third received a "Palestinian Authority only" visa. A Portuguese guest lecturer also received a "Palestinian Authority only" stamp. These two, along with Ouzman, could not participate in the tour in Silwan, Jerusalem, guided by the archaeologist Dr. Rafi Greenberg.
Haaretz's query as to why some visitors receive regular visas, while others receive "Palestinian Authority only" stamps, went unanswered.
Ouzman shortened his trip by two days due to his restrictive visa. However, in some cases, the damage is much greater: the Palestinian Authority-only visa ruined the research plans for L., a British scholar who had spent time at Bir Zeit University over the summer.
L. received a one-day visa for Israel from the Civil Administration, and set up a meeting at the Interior Ministry in Jerusalem to request a regular visa. "Once [the Interior Ministry official] noticed the visa on my passport saying 'Palestinian Authority only,' she screamed that I shouldn't be in Israel and yelled at me for entering without a visa. I tried to explain that this is why we are here, and that I have work to do in Israel as well as the West Bank. She didn't listen, and said angrily that I have to leave and go back to the West Bank."
L. told the clerk he had a one-day visa, and that he comes to the country at least twice a year and always received a regular visa. L. said the clerk spoke to someone over the phone, still sounding very angry.
"Then she told me that [her superior] said I shouldn't be in Israel because I don't have the proper visa, and that if I insisted on applying for a full visa at the ministry I could do so but that I would be denied the visa on the spot," L. said.
The Interior Ministry said it does not have representatives at the Allenby Bridge crossing.
The Israel Airports Authority said, "Israel Airports Authority employees fulfill their function in keeping with directives while maintaining the dignity of the travelers and insuring a proper level of service. The authority supervises the employees by means of a variety of methods. Stamps are given by border supervisors only (who are not authority employees)."
The Negotiation Support Unit, which advises the PLO's Negotiations Affairs Department, prepared an opinion paper on the Israeli visa policy, which was sent to consulates and foreign missions. The opinion stated: "Third states whose nationals are subjected to such illegal policies have an obligation to object once the facts are made known to them and their nationals ask them to respond or to take action. Choosing not to object would imply third states' acceptance of Israel's unlawful acts, in violation of third states' duty of non-recognition [of these acts.]"
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"The Ministry of the Interior should think again." The Foreign Ministry would do well to think! Period! And Israelis want tourists to come spend money in Israel! Fat chance!
"The Interior Ministry said it does not have representatives at the Allenby Bridge crossing." No FM rep at the Allenby Bridge??? Fire the Minister of the Interior for not knowing how to do his job. Or send him to Sicily to take lessons from a Cosa Nostra Don. Cosa Nostra's success is indicative of careful planning. ----------
deal with the issue by abusing the person.
...and until the Palestinians fulfill the unquestioned requisites of international law to gain autonomy over its territory by policing and controlling the people in it, preventing them from attacking others, Israel has every right to control these things.
when they try and visit any european country or america...
I amazes me the chutzpa and arrogance of many who defend Israel racist policy.Here we have someone born in the Argentina or Russia can come to a land he never knew while native born are denied. As for Arab Americans, in many cases the US embassy or consulate stand Idle and refuse to intervene, that is understandable when the tail wags the dog.This land was not Toho v Boho and Palestinian did not come from the moon, The are decendent of Ismael.
Having a South African or a British passport and having a Ph.D. are not sufficient to just show up in a war zone and to expect to be granted permission to travel around wherever one wants to. These two "scholars" had ample time to clear their travel plans with and obtain the necessary visas for Israel, Jordan, and the PA well in advance and simply failed to do so. Maybe they should get their secretaries to get the required permits next time before they show up unannounced at the Allenby Bridge or in Jerusalem demanding special treatment. This may come as a shock to certain left-wing professors, but the Levant is not the EU. Surprise! Prepare to be vetted for subversive activities beforehand or stay home.
If I read the article correctly, it refers to a South African man and the case of turks and portugese. On the resposnes, you read people talking about Saudia Arabia, Singapore, Arab countries and how they treat travelers etc... Whats that got to do with what Amira is writing. Bottom line, if Isreal claims authority over entry/exit procedures of palestine, then they need to behave like a democracy and improve the process. Stop claiming the moral high ground when your just as messy or worse than those you criticize.
Our naive, Western appologists for the Palestinians get it backwards yet again. Palestinians chose to be represented by the Palestinian Authority, as a step towards statehood, and they vote in those elections, not Israeli elections. Had the Palestinians desired a state, its been theirs for the asking, but they prefered an Intifada and killing Jews instead. Until that time, Israel must take all steps to protect its citizens and an awful lot of the people that intend to cause harm to Israelis hope to cross into Israel from the West Bank. Palestinians can't chose violence and then complain about counter-violence measures.
I don't know which Israel you live in Giora, But I witness the deep racism that Mark Lincoln refers to on a daily basis. It is the reality of life here and takes deliberate blindness to ignore. Time to open your eyes, Giora.
You're right that you wouldn't be granted a visa and maybe that is discrimination and wrong and whatever you want to call it. But that doesn't make it ok for Israel to do that either, and that ISN'T the reason they do it as it doesn't apply to people from those Arab countries but for people who come from countires that have diplomatic relations with Israel. Keep that point in mind. It sounds from the name NIN that you listen to Nine Inch Nails. If that's the case you'd know a lot of the lyrics are about questioning authority (where ever that may be) and not just defend it simply because you happen to be an Israeli. That's just blind and shallow. Injustice is injustice anywhere so dont be a hypocrite by pointing fingers at others while claiming that Israel's policies are justified and rightous.
(retry) If I have an ISRAELI visa on my passport, I am BARRED from entering Malaysia even though I am a Singaporean. Countries have their OWN regulations but amira is just too OBTUSE to know that.
just make it impossible for those who hate us to benefit from Israeli infrastructure, services
anyway...??? PA visas only would help boost the Palestinian economy and cities, as the international community would live in the West Bank. PA Tourist Visas could be very useful as well, as this sector would need more development, and there is huge potential as a major income source for the PA. West Bank is much nicer and more welcoming and interesting
Israelis, Americans, Europeans and all others must use the southern border crossing to go between Jordan and Israel. This man could too but he would rather try to make a political point and have Amira write a bogus article. It seems these so called "archaeologist" are actually pro-Arab activist so lets get the story straight and be honest for a change Amira!!!
Many nations require you get your visa at one's home Nation's embassy in this case the one in South Africa. Israel is not alone at this. Amira cannot have it both ways wanting for people to come and go through Israel and have autonomy in Arab areas in Eastern Israel as well. If it was all Israel controlled there would be no problem and only one visa would be needed. One cannot enter a nation at will because they want to and if I have an Israeli stamp on my passport I am not allowed in most Muslim nations. Why does Amira write about that? I cannot cross the Allenby bridge neither and must go through Eilat and go north to Amman like EVERYBODY ELSE!
Amira, as a long term resident you probably can explain me how I can obtain a visa for the Gaza strip. Also I intend to travel to Jordan. Last time I tried to enter I was rejected due to my Kippa and teffilin. And Saudi-Arabia, the visa was denied because I am Jewish and had Star of David on my neck. But I am sure you can help with your good connections with circles who are opposed to dicrimination.
Hmmm, as a Jew, never mind an Israeli one, I wonder what border control in any of the dozens of Arab countries would do when I show up with my passport... oh wait, I am not allowed in at all, full stop, no poin then, so that is ok?
Having worked in war zones and underdeveloped areas, I've often come across behaviour like this by officials. It basically comes down to an unhappy mixture of vindictiveness, incompetence and inconsistency. The vindictiveness comes from the fact that the Israeli officials basically don't like Palestinians and therefore don't like anybody who comes to visit them. The incompetence comes from the fact that positions as low-ranking customs and passport officials aren't ever going to be filled by high-flyers. The inconsistency comes from the fact that ultimately the officials and the people who supervise them just don't care. So if they're in a good mood that day or have visited the country where the traveller's coming from, they might just be friendly, but if they're in a bad mood, as usual, forget it. It's yet another sign, along with religious extremism, that Israel is becoming more Middle Eastern and less European by the day.
Everyone is on top of each other in israel, thats why the arab states must really do everone a favour and absorb these so called palestinians.
Amira feels so well in Ramallah why does she need a visa for?
Arbitrary policies (and rude behaviour implementing them) do Israel a great deal of harm. The Ministry of the Interior should think again. Now these guys have everything negative they heard about Israel confirmed by the bucketload.
Israel Academics on the other hand......call it anti-semitism if they are not allowed to pursue their academic interests in other countries. Such idiocy.
Your article about Ramallah is a bit of a joke as I as an israeli cannot visit Ramallah and even if I could I would be scared someone would put a knife into me. It is the Palestinians who cause the problems not Israel. We live in Israel proper with the Palestinians and I can show you photos I took in my street in North Tel Aviv.
A debate is a healthy form for achieving a conscience about difficult issues. In order to succeed, the participants need to be educated about the issues. It is very difficult to explain to a "scholar" who goes by the name of "Mark Lincoln" what the problem really is. 99% of the Israelis will not consider 99% of the Arabs as inferior human beings. One needs to experience a country and its people before they make baseless statements. Amira Hass, whose parents experience the ghetto in Germany, is entitled to sound her opinion because she lived both in Israel and in Gaza. One doesn't have to agree with her but, she is definitely not a self absorbed scholar.
So of course we decide who does and who doesn't get a visa. And of the Arabs there, they are foreign residents- mostly Jordanian citizens. If they don't like it, they can return to their own land. I hear that Amman is lovely this time of year, and since Jews are forbidden to own Jordanian land (according to Jordanian "law"), they will feel right at home. They even have a "Palestinian" Queen there- Rania.
Thats all just plain nasty. No matter what they do to them....the Palestinians are at least as resilient as the Jews
"The situation cries out for reciprocity." - mark of Lewiston How droll Mark of Lewiston! There is no place in the realm of Israel for reciprocity, or the continued existence of Arabs within the world of Greater Israel. You, and I, are creatures of the past. We remember a decent Israel which wanted peace. We live in the age of an Israel which wants only IT ALL. The Arabs contaminate Israel, and the Disputed Territories. The pollute Judea and Samaria and clutter East Jerusalem. And thus they are in the way of the rightful , God ordained, population of All that Israel desires with the chosen race. The sub-human race must make way for the master race. Dreams of equality, decency, and equal treatment are void, fantasy, and despised by Israelis. If not ALL Israelis, all Israelis who matter. There were plenty of decent Germans in 1939, but they did not matter, because they allowed those who despised them to rape, pillage, and murder. Those Good Germans were just cowards.
Amira Hass suffers from the most awful form of senility. She suffers from decency. And Decency is against EVERYTHING Modern America and Israel are. Amira Hass believes Israelis should view Palestinians as human being who deserve decent treatment because they are humans. Creatures created in the image of God. She is wrong. Israelis and Americans understand that Palestinians are Arabs, and Muslims (please ignore the Christians Palestinians) and thus are sub-human. And as sub-humans who are in the way of the Civilization brought by Israel and America, they must be expunged. Either they must leave, or they must be eradicated. There is no place in the world, Amira Hass, for those who stand in the way of America or Israel. Think I am wrong? If I am wrong this post might appear. Odds are it will not.
Any country that has its citizens humiliated and denied Israeli visa should reciprocate by denying all Israelis including polticians visas to their countries.
None of the people describe in this column deserved this treatment. Neither to the 95% of Palestinians who have never committed a violent act in their lives. Why can't the Israeli government admit that this kind of thing achieves nothing?
...but it's not of light is it.
The situation cries out for reciprocity. Other countries should establish a nondiscriminatory port of entry for ALL ISRAELIS, regardless of race or religion. For larger countries, two ports of entry might be appropriate. They should apply especially to politicians and diplomats. For the US, Guam and Guantanamo. For the UK, the Falklands and Isle of Wight. Maybe for Russia, somewhere in Kamchatka and somewhere equally convenient in Siberia. Israeli politicians would take some time. But even they might eventually learn how offensive and expensive their policies actually are.
Anyone who thinks Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East is deluding themselves. This country does not have equal rights for all peoples and certainly denies the "right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" to everyone who isn't Jewish. Apartheid and racism is alive and well in Israel!