In January 2017, as in every year, HaMoked submitted to the Ministry of Interior an
application under the Freedom of Information Law for information on revocations of status of East Jerusalem permanent residents for the year 2016. The application was sent as part of HaMoked's on-going campaign to stop Israel's quiet deportation policy implemented against East Jerusalem residents.
According to the data supplied by the Ministry of Interior on April 6, 2017, in 2016, Israel revoked the residency of 95 East Jerusalem Palestinians, including 41 women and 11 minors.
According to the
Ministry of Interior's figures supplied over the years, between 1967 and 2016,
Israel revoked the status of 14,595 Palestinians from East Jerusalem.
The Ministry of Interior also announced that there were no changes in its policy of not revoking the status of permanent residents who live in the “seam” neighborhoods of Jerusalem or moved to live in the West Bank, as well as those who live abroad provided they visit Israel at least once every seven years.
HaMoked again recalls that the position of East Jerusalem residents is unlike that of any other permanent resident – the area in question was annexed by Israel and its inhabitants were compelled to become permanent residents of Israel. Their status must be immune from expiry. HaMoked reiterates its position that in the case of East Jerusalem residents – for whom this piece of land is home – it must be stipulated that their residency status in Israel cannot expire nor be revoked, even following a lengthy stay abroad or the acquisition of status in another country.
