Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06JERUSALEM836
2006-02-28 15:23:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Consulate Jerusalem
Cable title:
RESPONSE TO SIXTH ANNUAL ANTI-TRAFFICKING IN
how-toVZCZCXYZ0001 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHJM #0836 0591523 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 281523Z FEB 06 FM AMCONSUL JERUSALEM TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0612 INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHC/DEPT OF LABOR WASHDC PRIORITY RHEHNSC/WHITE HOUSE NSC PRIORITY RUEAWJK/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHDC PRIORITY RUEAHLC/DEPT OF HOMELAND SECURITY WASH DC PRIORITY RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC PRIORITY
UNCLAS JERUSALEM 000836
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE, NSC FOR ABRAMS/DORAN/MUSTAFA, G/TIP,
G, INL, DRL, PRM, IWI, NEA/RA, USAID
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC PREL PREF PGOV PHUM ELAB SMIG KWBG KPAL
KCRM, KWMN, KFRD, IS
SUBJECT: RESPONSE TO SIXTH ANNUAL ANTI-TRAFFICKING IN
PERSONS (TIP) REPORT
REF: STATE 03836
This cable was cleared by Embassy Tel Aviv.
UNCLAS JERUSALEM 000836
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE, NSC FOR ABRAMS/DORAN/MUSTAFA, G/TIP,
G, INL, DRL, PRM, IWI, NEA/RA, USAID
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC PREL PREF PGOV PHUM ELAB SMIG KWBG KPAL
KCRM, KWMN, KFRD, IS
SUBJECT: RESPONSE TO SIXTH ANNUAL ANTI-TRAFFICKING IN
PERSONS (TIP) REPORT
REF: STATE 03836
This cable was cleared by Embassy Tel Aviv.
1. (SBU) No evidence exists of trafficking in persons in
the West Bank or Gaza Strip, according to the PA Ministry of
Labor and local NGOs. The West Bank and Gaza Strip is
neither a territory of origin nor a destination for
international trafficking in men, women, or children.
Traffickers whose destination is Israel could attempt to use
the West Bank as a transit point, but no evidence exists of
attempts at such transit. Beginning August 15, 2005, the
Israeli government began evacuation of all 21 settlements in
Gaza, including the complete removal of more than eight
thousand Israelis and military installations by September 12.
PA security forces assumed overall security responsibility
for Gaza. Israel initially closed the Rafah crossing in both
directions; however, by mid-November the PA and Egypt
controlled the Rafah border.
-- The Palestinian Authority (PA) Ministry of Labor reports
that it is unaware of any cases of trafficking either to, or
within the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The PA security
services, specifically the Preventive Security Organization
and the PA police, reported no incidences of trafficking.
-- Al-Haq, a Palestinian human rights organization, reports
that no instances of trafficking in persons have come to its
attention.
-- The Israeli NGO, Hamoked, reports that they are unaware of
any specific trafficking cases in the West Bank and Gaza
Strip.
2. (SBU) In light of the fact that no evidence exists of
any trafficking in persons to, from, or within the West Bank
and Gaza Strip, neither the PA, nor any NGOs conduct any
anti-trafficking activities in the West Bank or Gaza, nor
does the PA provide funding to NGOs for assistance to
victims. The PA does not provide any specialized training
for officials to recognize trafficking.
3. (SBU) The Palestinian Basic Law affords equality under
the law without discrimination due to race, sex, color,
religion, political views or disability; however, there is no
specific law outlawing trafficking in persons. Laws banning
prostitution and penalties for sexual exploitation are
derived from Jordanian law, including a minimum of three
years imprisonment for individuals supporting prostitution.
In the West Bank and Gaza Strip, prostitution is not openly
practiced.
4. (SBU) Post Human Rights Officer Marc Mellinger spent
approximately two hours on the preparation of the TIP report
cable. Post point of contact is Marc Mellinger, (office
number) 972-2-622-7293, (fax) 972-2-624-9462.
WALLES
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE, NSC FOR ABRAMS/DORAN/MUSTAFA, G/TIP,
G, INL, DRL, PRM, IWI, NEA/RA, USAID
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC PREL PREF PGOV PHUM ELAB SMIG KWBG KPAL
KCRM, KWMN, KFRD, IS
SUBJECT: RESPONSE TO SIXTH ANNUAL ANTI-TRAFFICKING IN
PERSONS (TIP) REPORT
REF: STATE 03836
This cable was cleared by Embassy Tel Aviv.
1. (SBU) No evidence exists of trafficking in persons in
the West Bank or Gaza Strip, according to the PA Ministry of
Labor and local NGOs. The West Bank and Gaza Strip is
neither a territory of origin nor a destination for
international trafficking in men, women, or children.
Traffickers whose destination is Israel could attempt to use
the West Bank as a transit point, but no evidence exists of
attempts at such transit. Beginning August 15, 2005, the
Israeli government began evacuation of all 21 settlements in
Gaza, including the complete removal of more than eight
thousand Israelis and military installations by September 12.
PA security forces assumed overall security responsibility
for Gaza. Israel initially closed the Rafah crossing in both
directions; however, by mid-November the PA and Egypt
controlled the Rafah border.
-- The Palestinian Authority (PA) Ministry of Labor reports
that it is unaware of any cases of trafficking either to, or
within the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The PA security
services, specifically the Preventive Security Organization
and the PA police, reported no incidences of trafficking.
-- Al-Haq, a Palestinian human rights organization, reports
that no instances of trafficking in persons have come to its
attention.
-- The Israeli NGO, Hamoked, reports that they are unaware of
any specific trafficking cases in the West Bank and Gaza
Strip.
2. (SBU) In light of the fact that no evidence exists of
any trafficking in persons to, from, or within the West Bank
and Gaza Strip, neither the PA, nor any NGOs conduct any
anti-trafficking activities in the West Bank or Gaza, nor
does the PA provide funding to NGOs for assistance to
victims. The PA does not provide any specialized training
for officials to recognize trafficking.
3. (SBU) The Palestinian Basic Law affords equality under
the law without discrimination due to race, sex, color,
religion, political views or disability; however, there is no
specific law outlawing trafficking in persons. Laws banning
prostitution and penalties for sexual exploitation are
derived from Jordanian law, including a minimum of three
years imprisonment for individuals supporting prostitution.
In the West Bank and Gaza Strip, prostitution is not openly
practiced.
4. (SBU) Post Human Rights Officer Marc Mellinger spent
approximately two hours on the preparation of the TIP report
cable. Post point of contact is Marc Mellinger, (office
number) 972-2-622-7293, (fax) 972-2-624-9462.
WALLES