Israel – Lifting of restrictions on movement to and from the occupied territories

WRITTEN QUESTION

Submission: to the Council and the Commission

15 May 2003

Subject: Israel – Lifting of restrictions on movement to and from the occupied territories

According to data from Amnesty International, the Israeli government recently decided to require any foreigner entering Gaza to sign a “disclaimer,” relieving Israel of any responsibility in the event of death or injury. Amnesty International reports that entry to the occupied territories was denied to members who refused to sign this declaration, which significantly hindered the organization’s work. There are fears that this practice is an attempt by the Israeli authorities to avoid their duty to ensure that the armed forces respect human rights under any circumstances. It is also believed that this could hinder external monitoring and oversight of the behavior of the Israeli military, potentially leading to an increase in killings in Gaza.

The Committee asks whether it intends to pressure the Government of Israel in order to:
a) lift this new restriction on movement to and from the occupied territories,
b) request the deployment of international observers in Israel and the Occupied Territories, to ensure its compliance with international standards.