CAIRO — Egypt is allowing freer temporary entry for Palestinians into the country in an unprecedented move that eases long-imposed travel restrictions, particularly on Gazans, Egyptian and Palestinian officials said Monday.
The decision has caused confusion among the security agencies here and appeared to bring some resistance. Some officers at the airport refused to implement the measures, an airport official said, in a sign of how deeply some in the security forces view the Palestinians as a potential threat.
The changes appeared to be a gesture to the Palestinians after separate meetings last week between Egypt’s new president, Mohammed Morsi of the Muslim Brotherhood, and Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal, whose group controls Gaza.
Egypt’s powerful security agencies have monopolized policymaking toward the Palestinians for years, generally working closely with Israel and taking a tough line for fear of Hamas and the spread of militancy. But security forces have been shaken since the fall last year of Hosni Mubarak and now particularly with the election of an Islamist as his successor.
The new measures ease the situation for those living in Gaza, which has been subject to a 5-year-old Israeli blockade because of rocket attacks from the Mediterranean coastal territory. The only non-Israeli outlet from the strip is through Egypt, and for years Cairo assisted the blockade. Even after Egypt officially opened the border crossing, it imposed heavy restrictions.
Until now, security agents escorted Palestinians under 40 to or from the Gaza border to ensure they spent no time in Egyptian territory. Palestinians saw the practice as a humiliation, especially since it often meant detention at the border or airport for up to three days, often in small rooms alongside criminals, as they waited for an escort.
The new measures end the procedure and allow Palestinians to cross through Egypt on their own arrangements, allowing them to stay in the country for up to 72 hours. The measures came into effect early Monday, and took many security agencies by surprise because it came before a formal announcement was made.
An unidentified Egyptian official at the Rafah crossing separating Egypt and Gaza confirmed to the official news agency MENA that the “deportation” policy had been “abolished” at the crossing.
The official also said an existing blacklist for Palestinians barred from entering Egypt or traveling abroad is currently under review. Some on the list date back to the 1970s, following Egypt’s peace deal with Israel.
Egypt’s ambassador to the West Bank, Yasser Othman, said transiting Palestinians must have Palestinian national identification and passports, or a proof of residency in a third country.
“We are planning for more procedures to facilitate the movement of the Palestinians, but there are no plans to cancel the visa requirement if Palestinians want to enter Egypt,” Mr. Othman said.
A Palestinian official in Cairo said more easing of restrictions are being negotiated.
Palestinians have generally been subjected to strict Egyptian travel requirements that have kept many of them, particularly after the 2000 uprising against Israel, from entering the country. The situation became more complicated as Egypt under Mr. Mubarak closely coordinated security plans with Israel, and observed the blockade on the Hamas-controlled Gaza strip.
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