Gisha response to Egyptian announcement on the opening of Rafah Crossing

[JonScholar]

http://www.gisha.org/index.php?intLanguage=2&intItemId=2018&intSiteSN=113

Gisha welcomes the announcement that Egypt will expand the ability of Gaza residents to travel abroad via Rafah Crossing, which has become Gaza's gateway to the world, in light of Israel's closure of Gaza's airspace and territorial waters and restrictions on travel via Erez Crossing. Gisha notes the need also to permit passage of people and goods between Gaza and the West Bank, recognized by Israel as a single territorial unit whose integrity is the basis for a two-state solution.
 
Since the capture of an Israeli soldier in June 2006, Israel has vetoed the implementation of the U.S.-brokered 2005 Agreement on Movement and Access which gave Israel security supervision over Rafah Crossing in exchange for a commitment to permit access between Gaza and the West Bank. If Israel wants a say concerning passage via Rafah, it should implement its commitment to allow Palestinians to travel between Gaza and the West Bank.
 
The Egyptian commitment concerning Rafah includes longer operating hours, no numerical limit on passengers, and visa-free travel, except for men aged 18-40. Crossing for Palestinians is expected to continue to be limited to those listed in the Israeli-controlled population registry. The expansion does not appear to include passage of goods, which are restricted to the Israeli-controlled crossings and subject to prohibitions on construction materials and export.

Read more: http://www.gisha.org/index.php?intLanguage=2&intItemId=2018&intSiteSN=113

[JonScholar]

1. It looks like goods still won't be allowed to freely cross the Raah border

Very disappointing

[Jefferson23]

2. Yes, but that is only for now..it's a good step forward. n/t

[Jefferson23]

3. European observers: No request to return to Gaza border crossing

Spokesman for the inoperative mission of European observers says without monitors, international standards for security checks at the Rafah crossing may not be upheld.

By DPA


The inoperative mission of European observers, who under a 2005 agreement should be monitoring the Gaza-Egypt border crossing, said Thursday they had not received a request to return – this despite the crossing's imminent opening.

Benoit Cusin, the spokesman for the European Border Assistance Mission (EUBAM) expressed concern that without the European monitors, international standards for security checks and passengers' rights may not be upheld.

The Egyptian government announced on Wednesday that starting Saturday, the Rafah border crossing would be open each day from 9 am to 9 pm, except for Fridays and holidays.

The European observers would only be able to resume their work at the crossing at the formal invitation of Israel and the Palestinian Authority, the parties to the 2005 agreement that established the mission - and not as a result of any unilateral action by Egypt.

Egypt would, however, also have to agree and cooperate for the monitors to be able to return, spokesman Cusin said. They were ready to reactivate the mission any time, as European foreign ministers had reiterated on Monday, he said.

The mission suspended its work after the Islamist Hamas movement seized sole control of Gaza in 2007.

Cusin said EUBAM was still following the situation at Rafah closely. The observers were aware of Egypt's decision to reopen the Rafah crossing, through the media, and waiting to see its impact.

"It is well know that the freedom of movement of Palestinians in and out of Gaza is one of the top priorities of the EU," he told the German Press Agency dpa.

He noted that Rafah had already been open five days a week for about eight hours a day, but had been functioning on a "very, very limited basis." Only travelers including students, foreign passport holders and patients with special authorization from the Egyptian authorities were allowed to cross.

Opening the Egypt-Gaza border will ease the isolation of the more than 1.6 million Palestinians in Gaza. But Israel fears it could also facilitate the smuggling of weapons into the strip ruled by Hamas.

The Islamist group released a statement welcoming Egypt's decision, saying "These measures are the right decision in the right direction, and will facilitate the life of the population and ease their suffering."

Israel has expressed concern over Rafah's opening, with Deputy Defense Minister Matan Vilani calling it "very problematic."

Speaking to Israel Radio, the minister said that Egypt's decision "symbolizes the first stage of a very problematic system for Israel."

http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/european-observers-no-request-to-return-to-gaza-border-crossing-1.364214