Israel confiscates money from Palestinian travellers

Israel confiscates money from Palestinian travellers coming from abroad through al-Karameh crossing between the Palestinian territories and Jordan, the Tadamon Organisation for Human Rights said on Tuesday.

Al-Tadamon’s field researcher, Ahmed Al-Betawi, has said that the amount of money being confiscation has increased sharply in recent times. Besides undergoing derogatory treatment at the crossing, Al-Betawi said that travellers are having their money “stolen over terrorism charges.”

“Most of the money that has been confiscated belonged to relatives of Palestinians that have either been detained of killed by Israel,” he said. A total sum of 15,200 Jordanian Dinars (approx. £15,200) has been confiscated over a short period recently.

Explaining the confiscation measures, Al-Betawi said: “The Israeli authorities stop a traveller, conduct a thorough personal inspection, take the money they have and give them a note with the total amount of money confiscated.”

“The traveller is then directed to a review at the police station in Maali Adumim settlement to the east of Jerusalem. After a week, the money is deposited in the Leumi Bank and the issue is followed up by the legal advisor of the Israeli Civil Administration in Beit Ayel in the east of Ramallah.”

Al-Tadamon’s researcher said that his organisation files written protests against money confiscations, and after extended periods, the Israeli side responds informing them about whether they intend to return or keep the money.

“About 80 per cent of money confiscated is kept under the pretext of it having been taken from terrorist sources,” Al-Betawi said.