A/HRC/13/54 died due to being unable to access medical treatment outside Gaza.40 Many applications to exit Gaza for medical treatment were delayed or denied by Israeli authorities.41 35. Patients applying for medical care outside of Gaza are typically summoned for questioning by ISF at the Erez checkpoint, in advance of obtaining an exit permit. This can be a difficult experience. For example, “K.”, a resident of Gaza, was referred by the Ministry of Health to Al-Makassed Hospital in East Jerusalem for back surgery. In July 2009 a permit request was sent to ISF to allow him into Israel. ISF called him for a meeting. During this meeting the security officer questioned him about the circumstances in which his son was killed, by ISF, in 2002, as well as about his other sons. The security officer reportedly stated that his sons were “terrorists” and told him to return to Gaza. In October 2009 a new referral for treatment was issued. With the help of a local nongovernmental organization (NGO), K. again requested a permit. The permit was denied on “security grounds” and K.’s health continues to deteriorate. Without surgery K. risks paralysis. 36. According to WHO, from January to November 2009 ISF summoned approximately 590 patients to Erez for such interrogations.42 In May 2009 Physicians for Human RightsIsrael (PHR-Israel) presented data to the Committee against Torture regarding new measures employed by ISF during the interrogation of patients at Erez. New measures reportedly include photographing patients against their will; detaining patients for undisclosed periods of time; harassing, accusing, cursing and intimidating patients; and forcing uncooperative patients to return to Gaza without receiving a permit to exit.43 PHRIsrael has informed OHCHR-OPT that these practices have increased since November 2009, often resulting in patients missing medical appointments. In two cases, patients summoned for interrogation were immediately detained and transferred to the Shikma prison in Ashkelon, where they remained for approximately 20 days before being released.44 While before June 2009 PHR-Israel’s mobile clinic was allowed into Gaza on 3 occasions (out of 6 requests), after June 2009 all 10 of its requests were refused.45 IV. East Jerusalem 37. Palestinians who live or work in East Jerusalem face distinct challenges to the enjoyment of their human rights. Those who live in East Jerusalem are issued different identity documents than residents of the West Bank, with the former being more difficult to obtain and more easily revoked.46 East Jerusalemites can lose their right to live in the city if they reside outside Israel or East Jerusalem for seven consecutive years, or if they obtain citizenship or permanent residency in another country. The information available to 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 10 OCHA, The Humanitarian Monitor, October 2009, p. 12. Ibid. In October 2009, the Israeli District Liaison Office for Erez Crossing approved 71.4 per cent of applications to exit Gaza for medical treatment, 25.5 per cent were delayed and 2.9 per cent were denied. Of those delayed, 83 patients were asked to be questioned by Israeli security forces before approval of their application, of which 51 did not go to the interview, 29 were asked to submit new applications and 1 was approved after the interview. Information communicated directly to OHCHR-OPT by WHO, 1 December 2009. PHR-Israel, “New data about GSS (Shabac) unorthodox methods at Erez Crossing”, press release, 4 May 2009. Available from www.phr.org.il/default.asp?PageID=190&ItemID=269. Information on these two cases gathered from PHR-Israel and Al-Mezan, on file with OHCHR-OPT. These 10 consecutive refusals follow the publication by PHR-Israel of two reports on Operation Cast Lead: “Ill Morals”, March 2009 and “Report of an independent fact-finding mission of medical experts”, April 2009. See Civic Coalition to Defend Palestinian rights in Jerusalem at www.ccdprj.ps/en/?page_id=89. GE.10-12152