Press Release

New Israeli Restrictions on Palestinian Economic Transactions

Date: 9 February 2000

Ref: 17/2000

The Israeli Occupation Authorities have decided to tighten the closure imposed on the Gaza Strip through the incorporation of additional restrictions on Palestinian economic transactions. These restrictions, which will take effect by the beginning of March 2000, include the termination of the so-called “convoy system” which allows Gazan vehicles to pass through Israeli territory under military escort for the purpose of export and import. The number of Gazan vehicles which benefit from this system is estimated at 450, 150 of which pass daily through Israel.

Israel announced that from March it would admit only the passage of persons through the Erez border crossing between the Gaza Strip and Israel. Up until now Erez crossing has been used for the passage of vehicles as well. From March, all commercial transactions and passage of goods will be admitted only through the Karni border crossing, located in the east of the Gaza Strip. Palestinian vehicles are not allowed to pass through Karni crossing, but instead are forced to unload their product, which must be reloaded into Israeli vehicles after a lengthy security check. Consequently, transportation costs are significantly higher than under the “convoy” system. According to Palestinian sources costs would increase by 100-110% under the new restrictions.

The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights expresses its deep concern at the new Israeli measures, which will further tighten the policy of closure which has been imposed on the Occupied Territories since 1996. This policy has had a devastating effect on the emerging Palestinian economy and violates the economic and social rights of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. The new restrictions will further deteriorate living conditions in the Gaza Strip, particularly for the hundreds of families who earn their living in the transportation sector.

The Israeli policy of closure constitutes a collective punishment, and is illegal according to international humanitarian law, particularly the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949. PCHR calls upon the international community and the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to act in accordance with their legal obligations to ensure respect for the Convention by the state of Israel.