Ref: 89/2012      

The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR)
strongly condemns the denial of entry into the West Bank
of dozens of international solidarity activists participating in the “Welcome
to Palestine Campaign”. The activists, who sought entry to the West Bank via
the Allenby Bridge
from Jordan
on Sunday evening, were sent back by the Israeli authorities.

PCHR calls upon the international community to
exert pressure on the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) and compel them to allow
these activists to have access to the Occupied Palestinian
Territory (oPt).

Activists have the right to express their
solidarity with the Palestinian just cause. Their rights should not be violated
by Israel or other
countries, which granted security facilities to Israel and took measures against
them in their airports and through their airlines to prevent activists from
access to the oPt.

The IOF has a long standing policy of
preventing international human rights activists wishing to observe human rights
violations committed by IOF in the West Bank
and the Gaza Strip from entering the oPt. Additionally, several international
solidarity groups were denied entry when arriving at the Israeli airport Ben
Gurion, including two “Flytillas” that were organized by the Welcome to
Palestine Campaign. The participants’ stated intention to visit Palestine on arrival at
the airport resulted in their detention and subsequent deportation and
blacklisting. The activists are denied freedom of movement and access to the
oPt in order to prevent them from baring witness of life under the Israeli
occupation.

PCHR reiterates its condemnation of Israel’s
actions against solidarity activists and:

1. Stresses its
support for continuing efforts exerted by international solidarity activists in
support of the Palestinian people. PCHR appreciates the important role played
by these activists who advocate for the rights of Palestinian civilians and
speak out against the human rights violations committed against the latter by
the Israeli authorities and settlers.

2. PCHR calls
upon international organizations, including human rights organizations, bar
associations and international solidarity committees to continue and expand
their efforts in bring to justice Israeli war criminals, and to urge their
governments to bring those criminals to court.