The increased security measures recently imposed by the Israeli Occupation Force (IOF) on Palestinian workers at Erez checkpoint result not only in the humiliation of the workers but have also caused a number of injuries and one case of mortality.
In the early hours of Monday 16 February 2004, a 41-year-old Palestinian worker, Muhammad Ibrahim Ash-Shiekh, from Gaza City died of a heart attack and dozens of other workers were injured at the Beit Hanoun/Erez checkpoint, north of the Gaza Strip, due to the very crowded conditions resulting from the security measures imposed by the IOF.
In fact, the IOF has continued to impose increased restrictions on the movement of Palestinian workers to Israel and the Erez Industrial zone since earlier in January 2004.
The degrading security measures include a 20 minute check and strip search of each worker and the opening of only one security gate for over 10,000 workers, thus imposing important delays for workers waiting in line.
Investigations carried out by Al Mezan Center for Human Rights and the Democracy and Workers’ Rights Center indicate that workers must arrive at the checkpoint as early as 10 pm in order to pass the checkpoint in time to work the next morning.
After an entire night of waiting, those who manage to enter Israel suffer from exhaustion and have difficulties to carry out their work.
Furthermore, the condition of workers who live in the south of the Gaza Strip is even worse as they must pass several internal checkpoints in order to reach Erez external checkpoint.
This implies additional delays and often the impossibility to go home between several days of work.
It should be noted that Palestinian workers are in desperate need for jobs in Israel, due to the increasing rates of unemployment and poverty that exists in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
According to a recent report issued by the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, about two million Palestinians are exposed to risks because they do not have sufficient food, lodging and medical care.
The Al Mezan Center for Human Rights and Democracy and Workers’ Rights Center jointly condemn the restrictions and the humiliating treatment of Palestinian workers by the IOF.
These measures constitute a part of Israel’s collective punishment policies implemented in the OPT and violate the International Law, the International Labor Organization’s treaties and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
The two Centers are also concerned by the negative impact of the restrictions on workers movement on the weak Palestinian economy and on the increasing level of poverty and unemployment in the OPT.
As such, the Centers jointly call upon the international community to intervene and ensure effective protection of human rights of Palestinian civilians in the OPT.
Al Mezan Center for Human Rights The Democracy and Workers’ Rights Center