The Allenby Bridge (also known as the King Hussein Bridge and, in Arabic, the Jisr Malik Hussein) is the main crossing point between Jordan and the occupied West Bank. Since 1967 it has been under the control of Israel. Its well-established palm trees, manicured lawns and trim buildings give the impression of an orderly, civilized establishment Nothing could be further from the truth. While organised parties of European and Asian tourists may be checked through with reasonable despatch, for all others, especially those of Middle Eastern appearance, the visa process is one of humiliation and discomfort. While queues lengthen the young, invariably female, security officers sit in their booths, chatting with one another, filing their nails, going outside for a smoke, shouting at the human cattle to straighten the lines. From time to time they deign to process one or two from the head of the queue. This can go on for hours. It is not something that we in the West would tolerate.
When the supplicant reaches the head of the line he or she is asked their reasons for visiting "Israel" and cautioned against spending any time in the West Bank (even Bethlehem is "too dangerous") and of having anything to do with Arabs. With luck, one is given a three month entry visa. My friend Nokia wasn't so lucky - his human rights record counted against him and he was turned back.
For others, particularly Palestinians, the process is not merely humiliating and uncomfortable, it can be fraught with danger. One such case involved Mohammed Omer, a young journalist who was beaten and hospitalised by security officers at the Allenby Bridge while attempting to return to Gaza after being awarded the coveted Martha Gellhorn prize for journalism in London. To learn more go to the link: http://palestinechronicle.com on this page.
5 comments:
I'd like to going there and getting an excellent trip because those regions are incredible it's a land of exotic things.
I'd like to going there and getting an excellent trip because those regions are incredible it's a land of exotic things.
I've heard that people say this place is amazing that's the reason I'll go there with my little son to spend a perfect time,
It is a shame that many people live in countries where there is no freedom, places where you cant go out at night to have a beer with friends because you can get kill by the military or by some random terrorist.
Yes it's a shame palestinian terrorists who for years killed innocent civilians by bombing busses retaurants schools can no longer travel freely into Israel.
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