TEL AVIV – Israel on Tuesday gave permission to 100 Palestinian doctors to drive to jobs at Israeli hospitals, the first time Palestinian motorists are being allowed to enter into Israel in 15 years.
Maj.-Gen. Yoav Mordechai, the head of the military body that coordinates between Palestinian authorities and the Israeli government, said the move was aimed at increasing the ‘responsiveness’ of doctors who work shifts in Israel.
Since the outbreak of the second Palestinian uprising in 2000, vehicles with Palestinian license plates have not been allowed to enter from the West Bank into Israel or Jerusalem.
“Only Palestinian residents of East Jerusalem who own cars with yellow Israeli license plates were able to pass through Israeli-controlled checkpoints,’’ he Mordechai.
Palestinians who wants to enter Israel must cross through checkpoints by foot or public transportation.
Brig.-Gen. David Menachem, the head of military body that governed the Israeli-controlled, parts of the West Bank, said that it is a significant step intended to assist doctors in completing their live-saving mission.
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According to the officials, the programme can be expanded if it is successful. (dpa/NAN)
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