COGAT refuses to expand criteria for granting exit permits to individuals wishing to take part in mourning rituals

On January 22, 2012, Gisha contacted the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), Major General Eitan Dangot, requesting to expand the criteria for granting exit permits to individuals seeking to take part in mourning rituals. The request was sent following a meeting with the executive director of Gisha in which Major General Dangot expressed a willingness to reconsider the existing policy. Currently, exit permits are granted only to persons wishing to attend the funeral of a first degree relative. As an example, under the current policy, a person is not permitted to console his brother for the death of his son, grandson or spouse, who are not first degree relatives of the person seeking the permit.On July 11, 2012, we received a response from COGAT’s public communications officer dated June 11, 2012, indicating that it had been decided that there was no room to expand the criteria and change the policy in effect on this issue.

Related documents
Gisha’s letter dated January 22, 2012 (Hebrew)
COGAT’s response dated June 11, 2012 (Hebrew)