Ref: 57/2007

Date: 22 October  2007

Israel Does Not Want Eyewitnesses of Its Crimes in the Gaza Strip

A Spanish Solidarity Delegation Denies Entry into the Gaza Strip

On Sunday, 21 October 2007, Israeli occupation authorities prevented a Spanish delegation from the Andalusia from entering the Gaza Strip through Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing for no apparent reason, although members of the delegation were informed by the Spanish Consul-General in Jerusalem that the coordination for their entry into the Gaza Strip was completed.

According to information available to PCHR from members of the Spanish Delegation, they arrived at Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing at approximately 11:00 coming form Jordan. They had been forced to wait for nearly 7 hours, during which time they got conflicting answers with regard to their access to the Gaza Strip. In the end, they were informed that they were banned from entering the Gaza Strip. Although members of the delegation insisted to know the reasons for preventing them from entering the Gaza Strip, Israeli occupation authorities did not give any answers.

The 9-member delegation is headed by Christina Ruiz Sierra, Chairperson of al-Quds Malaga Association. Some members of the delegation had visited the Gaza Strip more than once before and they have strong relations with Palestinian civil society organizations, including PCHR, Cana’an Pedagogical Institute, Gaza Community Mental Health Programme, Women’s Affairs Center, Union of Palestinian Writers, and others.

During their planned 3-day visit, the delegation intended to check the human rights situation and the suffering of the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip as a result of the total siege, and to maintain cooperation, coordination and networking with Palestinian civil society groups.

PCHR is concerned over preventing the Spanish delegation from entering the Gaza Strip, especially as this measure coincides with increasing restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians and goods through the total siege imposed on the Gaza Strip. Restrictions imposed by Israeli occupation authorities on the movement of Palestinian civilians have transformed the Gaza Strip into an animal farm. Such measures have also restricted access of international and human rights defenders to the Gaza Strip.