Rights group: Erez crossing a trap for Palestinians

Israel uses the Erez crossing as a trap for Palestinian passengers, Palsawa.com reported the Human Rights and Democracy Media Centre (SHAMS) yesterday.

SHAMS noted that this undermines the rights of movement and travel for Palestinians who have been under a strict siege for a decade.

According to the rights group, Israeli intelligence questions most of the Palestinian passengers who hold permits to use the crossing, noting that only traders, patients and students are given such permits.

In addition, it said that Israel has kidnapped tens of passengers after questioning them. Some of them were patients seeking treatment in Israel.

Recently, Israel arrested four patients, SHAMS said, including Ibrahim Al-Shaer, who suffers from cancer, who is in urgent need of treatment.

Maher Mushtaha, 33, was arrested on Tuesday after five hours of questioning at the crossing, the organisation said.

Israeli practices at Erez are a flagrant violation of international law and the Rome Statute, SHAMS explained, adding that they are inhumane while the siege on the Gaza Strip is a crime against humanity.

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