Sunday 12 Apr 2015 - 15:34 Makkah mean time-23-6-1436
Geneva, (IINA) - The Euro-Mediterranean Observatory for Human Rights noted in a report that the number of businessmen detained while attempting to cross into Israel via the Erez checkpoint for routine trips has reached 19 to date in 2015, compared to only one during the same period last year.
While two of the businessmen were released, says the Geneva-based organization, 17 are still under detention at the time of publication of the report.
“These incidents raise doubts about Israeli intentions,” says Ihsan Adel, Euro-Mid legal advisor. “Frequent detentions are blatant intimidation and delays of several hours or longer also disrupt their ability to make their appointments.”
According to Euro-Mid researchers, one common precept used to detain Palestinian businessmen is accusations of buying “multi-use” products that can then be used by “hostile groups” in Gaza to replenish their resistance capabilities.
Erez now is the only corridor through which Gaza's businessmen can travel to Israel on business trips, and Kerem Shalom is the only gateway for goods transportation.
The Euro-Mid investigation team also found that intelligence operatives frequently attempt to force businessmen to disclose alleged information about armed factions within Gaza. If they refuse to collaborate, they are stripped of their entry permits. During the process, detainees are humiliated and treated inhumanely, including verbal insults and binding of the hands.
Businessmen are not alone. Israeli authorities deliberately limit every Palestinian’s access to Erez, even though it is the only crossing point established for individuals, including merchants, students, persons with medical problems or others. The result is that only five percent of Gaza residents are eligible to use the crossing. In addition to attempts to coerce them into collaboration, Palestinians travelers are kept waiting for long, tedious hours until they are allowed to cross into Israel. The report documents a number of first-person accounts of this harassment and violation of the right to freedom of movement, which was guaranteed by Israel in earlier agreements.
“There is no justification for punishing Palestinian businessmen, or anyone else, for merely trying to make a living and support their own families and others in Gaza,” says Adel.
SM/IINA
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