MEMO, June 29, 2010


Israeli sources have revealed that about 20,000 Palestinians in the West Bank are living in fear of expulsion because they hold residence papers issued in Gaza and the Israeli authorities refuse to allow them to update the documents, even though they have lived in the West Bank for many years. Concerns have been rising since the Israeli army described those living in the West Bank without residence documents as "intruders subject to imprisonment or deportation".

Gisha, the Israeli human rights organization challenging the Israeli military through the courts, said that tens of thousands of people are living under this threat, which prevents them from getting jobs, medical care and education because they have to pass through Israeli roadblocks at which their papers will be checked. Israeli army officials said, "The people of Gaza can return to the Strip with their West Bank spouses."