TNAG-0652-FCO40-801-Planning-Staff-papers-on-human-rights-and-foreign-policy-cou-1977 — Page 109

ISRAEL (continued)

Right No.

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Rating suggested by Post

(iv)

(v)

(vi)

(vii)

But individual journalists or publications who take too openly hostile a line tend to be silenced.

Comment by Near East and North African Dept Political parties are banned in the

occupied territories. Even so, the rating is rather high; we would suggest 3.

In Israel proper, the judiciary is independent. In the occupied territories lower courts are completely independent. But suspected terrorists tried by military courts whose procedures and attitudes are strongly influenced by Government policy. Appeals to the Supreme Court of Israel, which are theoretically possible, are usually blocked on security grounds.

In Israel proper, trade union activity is strong (indeed it pre-dates the existence of the state). The unions are closely in- volved with the Government but retain in- dependence. In the occupied territories trade unions scarcely exist partly for tradit- ional reasons. But they are not banned.

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From Israel proper, emigration is free (but there is a tax on all overseas travel which may act as a disincentive). Resi- dents of the occupied territories may emi- grate to any country which will take them. Some deportees and many former residents are refused re-entry.

Comment by Near East and North African Dept Some Israeli Arabs have reportedly found it difficult to obtain passports. As regards the occupied territories, the point is that the Israelis are happy for Arabs to emigrate, but not for them to come back. There is little doubt that this policy is arbitrary, ie that it is pursued in order to reduce the Arab population under Israeli control. As an example of numbers, between 25,000 and 30,000 Arabs left the Gaza Strip alone in 1967, mostly for Jordan. Few have been allowed to return. Far more left the Left Bank. We suggest a rating of 5.

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