In January 2013,
HaMoked submitted an application to the Ministry of Interior under the Freedom of Information Act, for information on revocations of status of East Jerusalem permanent residents for the year 2012. The application was sent as part of HaMoked's on-going campaign to stop Israel's
quiet deportation policy, implemented against East Jerusalem residents.
According to the data
supplied by the interior ministry, in 2012, Israel revoked the residency of 116 East Jerusalem Palestinians, including 64 women and 29 minors; also, in 2012, Israel "reinstated" the residency status of 32 East Jerusalem Palestinians.
According to the interior ministry's figures supplied to HaMoked over the years, between 1967 and 2012, Israel has revoked the status of 14,203 Palestinians from East Jerusalem.
As to HaMoked's request for information on the grounds for revocation in each case, the interior ministry notified that the data cannot be supplied, because it is not coded in the computer system of the Population Administration.
HaMoked again wishes to recall that the position of East Jerusalem residents is unlike that of any other permanent resident – the area in question was annexed by Israel and its inhabitants were compelled to become permanent residents of Israel. Their status is non-expirable. HaMoked reiterates its position that in the case of East Jerusalem residents – for whom this piece of land is home – it must be stipulated that their permits to reside in Israel cannot expire nor be revoked, even following a protracted stay abroad or the acquisition of status in another country.
