Skip to main content

30 runners barred from leaving gaza

Olympian among group banned by Israel from taking part in marathon

Israel has barred 30 runners, including an Olympic athlete, from leaving the Gaza Strip to participate in a marathon today, highlighting its tight restrictions on travel in and out of the Hamas-ruled territory.

In the case of the Olympic runner Nader Masri, the travel ban was upheld on Tuesday by Israel's Supreme Court. Masri, 34, participated in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.

The case underscored Israel's restrictions on Gaza, which human rights activists argue amount to collective punishment and are often arbitrary. They say the travel ban is part of an Israeli attempt to sever ties between Gaza and the West Bank, territories that lie on opposite ends of Israel and along with east Jerusalem are the basis of any future Palestinian state.

Israel and Gaza's other neighbour, Egypt, have severely limited access to Gaza since Hamas came to power in 2007.

Virtually all exports from Gaza are banned and most of Gaza's 1.7 million people cannot travel abroad. Israel considers Hamas.

The Palestinian Olympic Committee said it had asked Israel for permits for the 30 runners to leave Gaza so they could attend the second annual international marathon in the West Bank town of Bethlehem today.

Itidal al-Mugrabi, a senior official in the committee, said all requests were denied last month. She said the Bethlehem event, which will also include shorter races, was expected to draw some 700 runners from Europe in addition to local athletes.

After being denied a permit, Masri approached the Israeli rights group Gisha, which appealed to Israel's Supreme Court.

The judges ruled that they could not intervene in the defence minister's policy considerations but suggested the military consider more exemptions from the travel ban.

Masri said he was disappointed.

"The ban no doubt limits my ability to challenge other champions from elsewhere," Masri said.

"People encourage me to continue my sport, telling me the ban isn't the end and there will be more contests."

He said he trains daily in the streets and three times a week in a local gym.

"It is hoped, of course, that in the future the security situation will improve that will allow an easing of such restrictions," Judge Daphne Barak-Erez wrote in her decision.

OWNED BY OUR READERS

We're a reader-owned co-operative, which means you can become part of the paper too by buying shares in the People’s Press Printing Society.

 

 

Become a supporter

Fighting fund

You've Raised:£ 13,288
We need:£ 4,712
3 Days remaining
Donate today