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Entry into the West Bank (Judea and Samaria)

Joshua Pex
Joshua Pex

How to receive a permit to enter the West Bank?

Entry into the West Bank is complicated for foreign citizens, especially of Palestinian origin. Entry into this area requires the consent of both the Palestinian Authority and the Israeli immigration and Military authorities. A “mixed” entry into the West Bank and Israel both is even more complicated. Our law office in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, specializes in immigration and entry into Israel. This article by attorney Joshua Pex will explain how to apply for a permit to enter Judea and Samaria (also known as the occupied territories).

The Israeli authority responsible for entry into the West Bank of foreign citizens:

Entry into the West Bank areaThe state of Israel considers the West Bank to be a closed military zone and therefore anyone wishing to enter or leave this area must obtain the approval of the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT). According to the procedure for the entry of foreigners into the West Bank, the Allenby Bridge border crossing is supposed to be the main crossing point. Note that entry into Israel through Ben-Gurion International Airport takes place only in exceptional cases. In the event that the entry into the area is done via the Allenby crossing, the Border Control officer of the Population Authority has no place to decide whether to allow entry (even a foreigner who had previously received an entry permit to the area, as detailed below, must be questioned at the entrance). The interrogation report is forwarded to the IDF (Israeli Defense Forces) officials, and in case of refusal of entry (for example, subject to security concerns), there is no requirement that the reasons for refusal be explained. In the case of a “mixed” entry of a visitor who wishes to enter both Israel and the West Bank, approval must also be obtained both from the Border Control Officer of the Population Authority, just as for any entry into Israel, and from an IDF representative.

As noted, even after receiving entry permits to enter into the West Bank the visitor may be questioned, arrested or expelled if there is a suspicion that he:

Was involved in the past, or is currently involved in terrorist activities or criminal activity.

Is hiding weapons or explosives.

Has forged or invalid documents.

Behaves suspiciously during the transition.

Who can apply for a permit of entry into the West Bank?

The following categories of foreign nationals can obtain an entry visa for up to 90 days:

Spouses of Palestinian residents of the region – married couples or couples who wish to enter the region specifically in order to marry.

Businessmen, investors, or foreign nationals working in the area.

Employees of foreign missions or recognized international organizations (recognized by the Ministries of the Interior, Foreign Affairs, or Welfare).

Children of residents of the region under the age of 11 are entitled to enter via standard procedures, teenagers over the age of 11 require special approval.

Lecturers and consultants.

Special humanitarian cases.

Foreign citizens from “visa free” countries may enter the West Bank after presenting documents attesting to their status and the purpose of their visit at the Allenby / Ben-Gurion border crossing, subject to the approval of a COGAT representative. Citizens of countries that require an entry visa to visit Israel must also acquire an entry visa to the Judea and Samaria Area at an Israeli consulate in their country of origin. In any case, foreign nationals who are not in one of the categories listed above enter the area on the basis of the procedure for issuing foreign visitor’s permits or on the basis of the Foreign Entry Procedure, as detailed below.

Procedure for Issuing Foreign Visitor Permits into the Palestinian Authority territory:

This procedure regulates entry into the West Bank of foreign citizens who do not have relatives in the areas of the Palestinian Authority and are not in one of the categories above. In general, foreigners who do not have relatives in the West Bank receive an entry permit to the area only upon request from the Palestinian Authority, in exceptional and humanitarian cases. They are required to contact The Ministry of Civil Affairs in advance (with a request form for a visitor’s permit in Hebrew and English on behalf of a resident of the region or the organization which is inviting them) to receive an entry permit. Their application must include documents attesting to the purpose of the visit and a photocopy of an identification document (valid for at least 8 months after the date of entry).

Reasons for refusal of entry may include concerns that the visitor plans to settle in the area after entry, concern they will violate the entry conditions, and concern that upon entry, the visitor will continue to remain in Israel illegally. These concerns are based (among other things) on previous visits to the area, other visitors the same resident / organization invited, the presence of the inviting party abroad / Israel / the West Bank, etc. If the Population Authority approves the entry permit, security forces officers review the request to make sure there is no security impediment.

As a rule, the extension of visiting permits of foreigners visiting the area is not approved. In exceptional and humanitarian cases, the license is extended manually by the head of the Population Registry at the civil administration headquarters. In any case, the duration of the visit shall not exceed 7 months from the time of entry into the area.

The Procedure for the Entry of Foreigners into the Judea and Samaria Area:

Foreign residents who are registered in the Palestinian population registry as residents of the West Bank Area may enter on the basis of the Palestinian documents in their possession (passport / ID card as well as an exit permit), in accordance with the procedures.

Former residents of the territories who have “lost” their residency due to a prolonged stay abroad are considered to be foreign residents in all respects, and not as Palestinians for purpose of entry in the West Bank. Their entry procedure includes processing their documents, locating family members in the area, checking the date of loss of residence, and contacting the Population Authority.

Foreigners who have lost their documents or whose documents are not valid undergo a similar process of verifying their identity and possible security concerns vis-a-vis the person or organization inviting them.

Contact our law firm in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv for legal information and advice. We will be happy to help you with entry into the West bank area, refusal of entry into Israel, family reunification and more.

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