As it does every year, HaMoked recently submitted to the Ministry of Interior an application under the Freedom of Information Law for information on revocations of residency status of East Jerusalem permanent residents for the year 2014. The application was sent as part of HaMoked’s ongoing campaign to stop Israel’s policy of “quiet deportation” being fomented against residents of East Jerusalem.

According to the partial data supplied by the Ministry of the Interior, in 2014 Israel revoked the resident status of 107 East Jerusalem Palestinians, including 56 women and 12 minors. HaMoked is waiting for the ministry to supply the number East Jerusalem Palestinians whose residency status was “reinstated” by Israel during 2014.

According to Ministry of the Interior figures supplied to HaMoked over the years, between 1967 and 2014, Israel revoked the status of 14,416 Palestinians from East Jerusalem. HaMoked once again reminds the public 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 must be immune from expiry. 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 residency status in Israel cannot expire nor be revoked, even following a lengthy stay abroad or the acquisition of status in another country.