February 3, 2004

Graham McIntyre, Acting Director General
Middle East Division
Department of Foreign Affairs
Ottawa

Dear Mr. McIntyre:

Re: New illegal Israeli restrictions on foreigners entering Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT)

Further to our conversation today on the telephone, I am enclosing information regarding new restrictions being imposed by the Israeli government on Canadians and other foreigners entering the OPT.

The restrictions bar any foreigners from traveling to the OPT unless they have prior permission from the Israeli government. Threats have been issued that failure to comply will result in deportation and refusal of entry into Israel. Regardless of whether the permission is granted or not, the Israeli government has no right to restrict the movements of foreigners in the Occupied Territories. Article 116 of the IV Geneva Convention prohibits an occupier from restricting visitors from entering the occupied territory.

This is yet another attempt by the Israeli government to restrict international persons from witnessing human rights violations and harsh measures that are part of the Israeli occupation.

We have heard that a number of visitors passing through Tel Aviv airport have already been asked to sign declarations that they will not enter the OPT, although it is not yet being enforced by the Israeli Defense Forces. There are indications that this latest measure is a “trial balloon” as Israel assesses the international response. If response is weak or muted, it is very likely that Israel will strictly enforce the regulation.

KAIROS, a coalition of churches and church-related organizations, is planning to send a delegation of senior church leaders to the OPT from March 17 – 25. In addition to our general concern about the purpose of these new regulations, they could also have a direct bearing on our ability to visit the West Bank and Gaza.

We ask that the Canadian government vigorously oppose these new regulations through the Israeli embassy in Ottawa and through our diplomatic contacts in Tel Aviv. The Canadian government should make it clear to the Israeli government that Canada considers the new regulations a violation of the IV Geneva Convention and counterproductive to building peace in the Middle East, and demand that they be rescinded immediately.

Please let me know what action the Canadian government will take and also what advice you would have for our delegation to the OPT in March. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,


Dale Hildebrand,
Team Leader, Global Partnerships Program

Cc: Honourable Bill Graham, Minister of Foreign Affairs