In view of the events in Egypt, resulting in the reduction of operations at Rafah Crossing, five Israeli and Palestinian human rights organizations, including HaMoked, have
appealed in a letter to the Minister of Defense, demanding that Gaza residents be allowed to travel to and from Gaza through the Israeli-controlled crossings.
The organizations note that since the end of June, when the events leading up to the change of regime in Egypt first began, Rafah Crossing has been operating in reduced capacity. As a result, over 10,000 Gazans have been waiting in vain to leave Gaza and an unknown number of Gazans are forced to pay for their forced, continued stay abroad, and are cannot travel back home.
The organizations stress that under the law of occupation and human rights law, Israel's exercise of control over the Gaza Strip, imposes on it the obligation to allow Gaza residents to lead normal lives. So long as travel through Rafah is not possible, for whatever reason, Israel must provide alternatives which ensure Gaza residents' basic right to freedom of movement.
In light of the above, the organizations call on the Minister of Defence to establish immediate travel arrangements to and from Gaza, through the land crossings between Israel and Gaza or through the sea and air routes.
