Are Israel's new travel measures for Gazans a blessing or a curse?
Palestinians living in the Gaza Strip are hoping Israel's decision to ease travel procedures could be a light at the end of the tunnel.
Israel is promising to loosen the noose on Palestinians wishing to travel from Gaza, but make no mistake, the noose is still there.
Gazans have suffered under an Israeli blockade since early 2006. There are only two border crossings, both of which are heavily restricted: the Beit Hanoun (Erez) border crossing with Israel, north of the Gaza Strip, which is managed by Israeli authorities; and the Rafah border crossing in southern Gaza, which Egyptian authorities have kept under near-constant closure. Gaza officials said in February that 25,000 Palestinians registered as urgent cases are waiting for passage there.
The Israeli Haaretz newspaper revealed March 10 instructions issued by the Israeli government at the end of February to allow Gaza’s residents to travel via the King Hussein Bridge (Allenby Bridge) between the West Bank and Jordan. The Israeli decision has two difficult conditions: Travelers from the Gaza Strip must gain Jordan's permission to enter, and they must stay abroad for one year before they will be allowed to re-enter the Gaza Strip.
Gazan travelers will be escorted in groups to the Allenby Bridge, accompanied by a military or Palestinian Authority escort.
