Thousands 'to face expulsion under West Bank order'

AN ISRAELI military order due to go into effect tomorrow could offer a legal framework for expelling tens of thousands of Palestinians from the West Bank to the Gaza Strip or abroad, Israeli hum-an rights groups are warning.

The order labels as an "infiltrator" any person who "does not lawfully hold a permit" to be in the West Bank. But it does not specify what Israel considers to be a valid permit. The proscribed punishment for infiltration is expulsion or up to seven years in prison.

Expulsions may take place with-in 72 hours, while appeals need only be heard within eight days, according to the order.

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"We assume, based on prior experience, that the reasoning is for authorities to have an easy way to expel Palestinians from the West Bank to Gaza without the courts intervening," said Sarit Michaeli, spokeswoman of the B'tselem organisation.

Since the outbreak of the second Palestinian uprising ten years ago, Israel has prevented movement between the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Thousands of Gazans moved to the West Bank during the years before the uprising in search of work, but continued to be classified as Gazans in their identity cards, making them especially vulnerable. Many foreigners married to West Bank residents also lack legal status because Israel has tightened restrictions on immigration to the West Bank over the last decade.

The army said in a statement that "the purpose of the order is extradition of those residing illegally in Judea and Samaria".

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