2021 Activity

AMAN calls Crossings and Borders Authority and Ministry of Foreign Affairs to make concrete efforts to ease travel procedures and expenses to Jordan

AMAN calls Crossings and Borders Authority and Ministry of Foreign Affairs to make concrete efforts to ease travel procedures and expenses to Jordan

AMAN calls Crossings and Borders Authority and Ministry of Foreign Affairs to make concrete efforts to ease travel procedures and expenses to Jordan

Ramallah – The Coalition for Accountability and Integrity (AMAN) called on the Palestinian Crossings and Borders Authority and Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates (MoFA) to make diligent efforts to alleviate travel procedures and expenses to Jordan. Given new developments, citizens are incur considerable costs and face difficulties with reservations, provoking adverse public reactions.

In a letter to the Director General of the Crossings and Borders Authority, AMAN inquired about the new procedures, viewing them as “unjustifiable”. In particular, neither Palestinian nor Jordanian authorities have been made public the feasibility of these procedures.

AMAN wondered if procedures associated with the registration and COVID-19 testing portal, which have doubled the cost on Palestinian citizens, were taken in coordination with the Crossings and Borders Authority. AMAN also asked why the Jordanian side has launched the e-portal, which imposes a significant amount from Palestinian travellers. Although a COVID-19 PCR test is already provided by the Palestinian Ministry of Health, Jordan also requires that a further PCR test be conducted. According to some citizens, it is difficult to register on the portal. This cost is added to original expenses paid by Palestinian passengers, including taxes and transportation fees levied by the Palestinian Authority, Israeli occupying authorities, and Jordan.

AMAN called on the Crossings and Borders Authority and MoFA to coordinate with each other and exert pressure to alleviate travel procedures and expenses, especially under the current circumstances and COVID-19 consequences, which have had a serious economic impact on citizens. AMAN also highlighted the importance of transparency and openness to citizens regarding the motives and justifications of any processes of potential public impact.

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