This report reviews the various procedures imposed on Palestinian families some of whose members live in Gaza, i.e., families that are split between Gaza and the West Bank or between Gaza and Israel (including East Jerusalem). Israel annexed East Jerusalem and imposed Israeli law and administration there in contravention of international law. Consequently, despite being a part of the West Bank, East Jerusalem residents are subject to a different legal system than other West Bank residents. In this report, B’Tselem and HaMoked: Center for the Defence of the Individual (hereinafter: HaMoked) will address the legislation in practice. Implementation of the procedures imposed on such divided families will be explored in view of cases brought to HaMoked. In cases brought before it, HaMoked handled contact with the military authorities in charge of issuing movement permits – the Civil Administration in the West Bank and the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (hereinafter: COGAT) and the District Coordination Office (hereinafter: DCO) in matters concerning the Gaza Strip – and filed petitions to Israel’s High Court of Justice (hereinafter: HCJ). While these cases illustrate the main problems that such families encounter in dealing with authorities, they reflect only those instances in which families turned to HaMoked for assistance. Many Palestinians who do not approach human rights organizations for help in dealing with the authorities are unable to manage the military system alone.
Book Type: PDF
DRM: Yes