Response to Freedom of Information request for the protocols regulating travel by Palestinians through the Allenby Bridge border crossing
On September 3, 2012, Gisha contacted the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) under the Freedom of Information Act 5758-1998, requesting the protocols regulating the entry and exit of Palestinian residents into and out of the West Bank via the Allenby Bridge border crossing. On October 9, 2012, we received the response of the COGAT’s spokesperson which enclosed the Protocol for Travel by Gaza Residents through the Allenby Crossing. The response did not provide all the information sought in Gisha’s Freedom of Information application, referring only to protocols regarding Palestinians whose registered address is in the Gaza Strip. We therefore contacted COGAT once again on October 29, 2012 and requested the protocols relating to travel by Palestinian residents of the West Bank through Allenby Bridge. On November 12, 2012, we received the response of COGAT’s spokesperson which indicated that all the protocols relating to entry and exit by Palestinians and foreign nationals via Allenby Bridge have been published on COGAT’s website.Since the protocols were published in Hebrew only, we contacted COGAT on November 19, 2012 requesting that they be posted in Arabic as well. If the protocols are not translated within a reasonable amount of time, we will translate them to Arabic (we will translate the “foreign nationals protocol” to English as well) and post them on Gisha’s website. We also requested that COGAT date and number the protocols it publishes, as do other authorities, and that it add a protocol tab to its website to make it more user friendly.
Related Documents
Protocol for Printing a Visitor Permit at the DCO (Hebrew)
Protocol for Transportation of Palestinian Population at Allenby Bridge Crossing (Hebrew)
Protocol for Issuing Documentation in lieu of Lost Documentation (Hebrew)
Protocol for Transit of a Corpse through Allenby Bridge (Hebrew)
Protocol for Transit of Sick/Wounded by Ambulance (Hebrew)
Protocol for Transit of Palestinian Passenger through Allenby Bridge (Hebrew)
Protocol for Coordination of VIP Transit through Allenby Bridge (Hebrew)
Foreign Nationals Protocol – Liaison Office (Hebrew)
