Israel/Occupied Territories: Information on whether Palestinians from the West Bank can return before or after the period outlined by an affidavit and an exit visa

According to a representative of the Consulate General of Israel in New York, regardless of the affidavit, a Palestinian would have to renew his exit and return documents (23 Mar. 1993). If the Palestinian exits through one of the bridges crossing the Jordan River, the exit permit would be valid for three years and could be renewed for another three years by his family in the West Bank (Ibid.). The holder of an exit permit must return to the West Bank by the same bridge where he/she will have to present the exit permit, whereupon the person will regain his/her identity card (Ibid.). If the person left through an Israeli airport, however, she/he would be holding a travel document (or laissez-passer) which is valid for one year, with possible renewal for one more year at a local Embassy or Consulate of Israel (Ibid.).

Upon return, the Palestinian must present the travel document with a return visa placed inside (Ibid.). The representative mentioned that there is a difference between a return visa and a travel document, since a person can obtain a travel document without a return visa (Ibid.). The representative added that ultimately it would be the Israeli authorities on the West Bank who would decide whether or not a person would be allowed to return in such a case (Ibid.).

According to a representative of Al-Haq, a human rights organization that monitors the Occupied Territories, it is important to know whether the person signed the affidavit before or after receiving the exit document (22 Mar. 1993). If the Palestinian exits from an Israeli airport (i.e., holding a travel document) and signed the affidavit after receiving the travel document, the travel document would expire before the period allowed by the affidavit, and in such a case the person would lose the right of residency in the Occupied Territories (Ibid.). A person faced with this situation may apply to regain the right to residency in the West Bank, but the procedures are long and complicated and the chances of success almost non-existent (Ibid.).

If the person signed the affidavit before getting the travel document, she/he must renew the travel document at a local Embassy of Israel (Ibid.). If the embassy refuses to renew the travel document because of the affidavit, the person must come back to the West Bank to renew it (Ibid.). The representative added that this is difficult to do since the affidavit forbids the person returning before the three year period ends (Ibid.). The Israeli authorities inform the security services at all borders and airports that the person is not allowed to return before the end of the three year period covered by the affidavit (Ibid.). The representative added that when a Palestinian signs an affidavit stating that she/he will not return for a period of time and receives an exit visa, it usually means the Israeli authorities do not want this person to return (Ibid.).

Additional and/or corroborating information on this subject is currently unavailable to the DIRB in Ottawa.

References

Al-Haq, Ramallah, West Bank. 22 March 1993. Telephone Interview with a Legal Representative.

Consulate General of Israel, New York. 23 March 1993. Telephone Interview with Representative.