(Fwd) [cpthebron] Please protest: Greg Rollins (CPT-Hebron) denied entry

[Gush Shalom (Israeli Peace Bloc)]

Please protest: Greg Rollins (CPT-Hebron) denied entry

See forwarded message below - but in addition to the fax numbers given, 
please send ALSO email protests to:

Minister Mr. Avraham Poraz <sar at moin.gov.il> 
Director Mr. Mordechay Mordechay <mankal at moin.gov.il>
Spokesman Ms. Tova Ellinson <dover at moin.gov.il>
Public Relations Ms. Nechama Pluga-Zecharia <pniot at moin.gov.il>

(These are all Interior Ministry addresses; that is at the moment the 
relatively sensitive/sensible link in the chain.)

Most important: to write in the subjectline something strong (that they 
can't avoid reading. For example: AFRAID OF PEACE MAKERS?

If you can do it in Hebrew:
                                                                        
?îôçãéí îòåùé ùìåí



-------- Original Message --------
From: CPTHebron <cptheb at palnet.com>
Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2004 18:22:24 +0200
Subject: [cpthebron] HEBRON URGENT ACTION: Greg Rollins denied 
entry

March 12, 2004

HEBRON URGENT ACTION: Greg Rollins denied entry.

 In the early morning hours of March 11, the Israeli Ministry of 
Interior denied Christian Peacemaker Team member Greg
Rollins(Surrey, BC) entry to Israel at Ben Gurion airport and 
returned him as far as Amsterdam.

"I'm surprised, we have a very strong court order, it seems the 
Israeli security people at the airport made a mistake," said Sani
Khoury, with the law firm of Kuttab and Khoury. "Our settlement 
is in writing and it has the force of a court order. It says that
there are no restrictions on Greg's entering Israel, any past 
restrictions in Interior Ministry computers must be removed, previous 
(attempted deportation) proceedings will not be held against him -- no 
restrictions."

 Kuttab and Khoury have asked for a reversal from the Israeli 
Interior Ministry, and expected a reply this morning. The case was in 
Jerusalem, but no conclusion was reached because the Ministry of Interior 
wants the input of the security services. It is expected
that they will be able to have this input and make a decision 
Sunday morning. If Rollins is not re-admitted, they plan a "contempt
of court" procedure against the Interior Ministry.

Rollins was the center of a case before the Israeli High Court 
last year challenging an Israel military order barring all Israelis
and internationals from Palestinian-controlled areas. The order 
is rarely enforced but has a chilling effect on the work of Israeli
and international peace groups. Rollins was arrested while 
observing the detention of a large number of Palestinian men in 
Hebron, and the ruling on his case held that the military order was too broad 
and should not be enforced absent any specific illegal
activity.

This case will have an important effect on the continuing ability 
of human rights monitors to operate in the West Bank and Gaza.
CPT asks for telephone and fax inquiries to be directed to the 
Israeli Interior Ministry. We encourage fax inquiries because during
Shabbat many Israelis agencies do not answer telephone calls. We 
would especially like media inquiries.

In your fax or call, begin by explaining that you are aware of a 
court order allowing for Canadian Greg Rollins to enter Israel
without restrictions. Also emphasize the peacefulness of Greg's 
work in violence reduction. ASK IF SOME MISTAKE WAS MADE BY 
AIRPORT PERSONNEL when Greg arrived at Tel Aviv March 11. (This 
would be the likely explanation for a reversal allowing Greg to return.) If they 
confirm this, thank them for correcting the error. In any case, tell them you will 
be following the case, because it is an important case for the protection of 
human rights.

Faxing the Interior Ministry is an effective way of letting the 
Interior Ministry know that the international community is
monitoring its behavior toward peace and human rights activists. 
Between now and Sunday morning, send faxes expressing the 
concerns suggested above to 011-972-2-670-1628.

You may also call the Ministry of the Interior to express your 
concerns. Note that the office in Jerusalem will be closed Friday
afternoon until Sunday morning so phone calls would need to be 
made around 9am local time as the office is opening Sunday (this
would be 2am Eastern time in North America). From North 
America, dial 011-972-2-629-0231 or 011-972-2-629-0222

You will find below a sample fax that Rich Meyer, our team 
support person in North America sent.

Thank you,

Christian Peacemaker Teams

Hebron


Avraham Poraz
Minister of Interior
2 Kaplan Street
Kiryat Ben-Gurion
Jerusalem 91061

Fax 972-2-670-1628

RE: ENTRY OF CANADIAN ADVOCATE OF 
NONVIOLENCE GREG ROLLINS

Dear Minister Poraz;

I am concerned by the actions of security personnel at Ben Gurion
Airport who blocked the entry of Gregory Rollins on March 11. As 
you know, Mr. Rollins was the subject of a case in the High Court 
last year, where the final court order settling the case determined 
that he presented no security risk and should be free to come and 
go without restriction.

Mr. Rollins has been a strong advocate of nonviolence in Hebron, 
who by his example and influence must be seen as a constructive 
presence in the West Bank.

It seems that the security personnel at the airport did not 
understand the significance of the court decision regarding Mr. 
Rollins. Blocking the entry of Mr. Rollins is against the best 
interests of Israel and makes it appear as if Israel does not want a 
reduction of violence in Hebron!

I sincerely hope that you will correct this error and permit Mr. 
Rollins to enter Israel immediately.

Sincerely,

Rich Meyer


--------------------------------
Christian Peacemaker Teams is an ecumenical initiative to support 
violence reduction efforts around the world. To learn more about
CPT's peacemaking work, please visit our website at: 
http://www.cpt.org.
Photos of our projects may be viewed at: http://www.cpt.org/gallery

------- End of forwarded message -------