Zionist Restrictions over Identity Card’s Creates Outrage among Palestinians

Gaza man attempts self-immolation in protest of Israeli travel restrictions

14 October 2007

Gaza – Ma'an – A man attempted to set himself on fire Sunday in protest of an Israeli policy that Palestinians say is delaying the issuance of identity cards.

During a demonstration in front of the Palestinian Legislative Council building in Gaza City, Mohammed Junaid poured gasoline on his body and announced his intention to immolate himself, before other demonstrators restrained him.

The demonstrators say that more than 50,000 Palestinians do not have identity cards and are therefore unable to leave the Palestinian territories, even when they need medical treat available in other countries.

Raja'i Abu Daka, Chairman of the National Committee for the Defense of the Rights of Citizenship said Junaid's attempt at self-immolation underlined the callousness of Israel's policies that have all but stopped movement in and out of the Gaza Strip.

Israel labeled the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip an "enemy entity" in mid-September.

Abu Daka also said temporary passports issued by Egypt or Jordan could partly resolve the problem, allowing Palestinians their right to travel.