Israel Bans Entry by All Palestinians

AP via Yahoo ^ | February 10, 2003

[Indy Pendance]

JERUSALEM - Israel banned all Palestinians from entering Israel from the West Bank and Gaza Strip (news - web sites) late Monday, the Defense Ministry said, citing warnings of Palestinian attacks.

Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz canceled measures aimed at easing restrictions during the Muslim Feast of the Sacrifice holiday this week, the ministry said. Quoting unidentified military sources, Army Radio said there were reports that militants intended to carry out terror attacks in the coming days.

Total closures are infrequent, though Israel has severely restricted access for Palestinians to Israel throughout 28 months of Israeli-Palestinian fighting.

The military had said it would ease restrictions for workers to enter the country and would allow Palestinians over 45 years of age to pray at a disputed holy site in the Old City of Jerusalem during the holiday.

Canceling the orders means Israeli roadblocks on West Bank roads would remain in place, preventing people from moving around freely to visit relatives or work. The restrictions initially were imposed shortly after violence erupted in September 2000.

[Humidston]

Bingo.

Tick tick tick....

[American in Israel]

It seems to me, at the time the impending war campaign is kicked off against Iraq, that it would also be an opportune time for Israel to launch a coordinated attack against Hezbollah and other terrorist factions in Lebanon and Syria, while at the same time, driving the Palestinians out their country once and for all

Hezbolla are doing military manouvers, Syria is repositioning their troops to block routes to Damascus. The Palestinians were created to be a behind the lines attack force to slow down any response to an invasion. This has been their stated purpose from the begining. Soon the latest Arab League plan will come to fruit. What you say will happen, but Iran, Syria, the Palestinians and Iraq are going to initiate the battle.

[American in Israel]

This is a slow news day, made for comsumption headline. The borders into Israel will be opened again within 48 hours. This happens all the time. The people with work visas can come through, the male "tourists" under 45 or older than 12 cannot. Some closure!

[travelnurse]

It may be as you say "a slow news day", but there's also a war about ready to start any day now. We seem to have plenty of news over here from Israel today, doesn't seem like a slow news day to me....hmmmm

[MeekMom]

Good for them! I'm all for keeping the trouble-making-suicide bombers out of Israel! Good move guys!

[MeekMom]

re: post #6

amen to that! Should have been done 9/12/01

[MeekMom]

truer words could not be spoken! Ejection time!

[OldFriend]

For the same reason you kill the plague.......and any other virulent strain that could kill you.