Israel continues policy of denying visas to Christian clergy

Wednesday December 26, 2007 06:30 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC News

As Christians around the world and in Bethlehem celebrate Christmas this year, the Israeli government is blocking clergy from reaching Bethlehem and other locations in the Holy Land this Christmas.

Israel's Annexation Wall and guard tower

The Campaign for the Right of Entry released a report on Christmas day, December 25th, revealing that the denials of entry are arbitrary and widespread, and include both members of the clergy and volunteers with Christian organizations working in the Occupied Territories (West Bank and Gaza). This is in addition to tens of thousands of Palestinian and non-Palestinian foreign passport holders who have been denied entry into the Palestinian territories by Israel for stating their intention to stay in the Palestinian territories.

Israeli authorities stepped up enforcement of its entry denial policy last year, leaving tens of thousands of foreign-passport holders stranded outside the Palestinian territories, unable to enter due to Israeli restrictions. The Campaign for the Right of Entry has criticized this move by Israel, calling it a violation of international humanitarian law, in addition to being a blatant restriction on the right to freedom of religion.

Many churches have branches in Bethlehem, and hundreds of international Christian organizations operate in the area as well. In addition, a number of Christian schools depend on foreign teachers to teach. The past year of restrictions have made it extremely difficult for these organizations, churches and schools to continue their work.

The Campaign points out that during this time of spiritual reflection and celebration, when most of the world's media is focusing on Israel's 'easing of restrictions' for one day for pilgrims to attend the Christmas celebration in Bethlehem, the sad reality is that Israel is in fact continuing to deny entry to tens of thousands of Christians who live and work in Bethlehem and throughout the Occupied Territories.

In their press release, the organization states that, to date, despite high-level interventions by third state missions, international and human rights organizations, Israeli authorities have failed to provide a transparent policy on which foreign nationals wishing to enter or maintain their presence in the occupied Palestinian territory can rely. Instead, Israel has continued to pursue both policies and practices that fail to comply with international humanitarian law.

The Campaign calls on third states, religious leaders and congregations worldwide to protest Israel's actions harming the Church community and to demand a clear, transparent and lawful policy for all foreign nationals wishing to enter the Holy Land.

palestine | refugees/immigration | news report saed at imemc dot org