العربية
HE
العربية
HE
HaMoked recently received a large number of complaints from Jordanian women married to residents of the West Bank who went to the Israeli embassy in Jordan in order to request a visa. Most of the women who arrive at the embassy are not even permitted to enter; the minority who manage to enter the premises find that the official refuses to accept their application. After the officials realize that the women are married to residents of the West Bank, they inform them by word of mouth that their application is denied. It must be emphasized that this reply is given without the women having the opportunity to submit the application. The women are asked to leave the embassy and are not provided with any written confirmation of the rejection.
This practice is completely contrary to the procedure published in February 2007 by the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories. The procedure states that, as a general rule, foreign nationals will be permitted to enter the West Bank. Jordanian women may enter the West Bank via Israel, the procedure states, after receiving a visa from the Ministry of the Interior via the embassy or consulate. The procedure adds that in order to receive a visa the women must file an application detailing the purpose of the visit.
This injury to women wishing to spend time with their partners in their homeland constitutes a grave and harsh violation negating the rights of the couples and their children to regular and normal family life. This forms part of the broader violation of the right to family life as addressed in a series of HaMoked petitions concerning family unification in the West Bank. All those involved must act in accordance with the principles they themselves have established. Women must be allowed to enter the embassy; the applications must be accepted and examined substantively; and the applicants must receive written notification of approval or rejection as required in accordance with the principles of proper administration.
