Israel has barred Palestinian Authority Jerusalem Affairs Minister Ashraf al-Awar from entering the occupied West Bank for six months, according to Palestinian media. [Getty]
Israeli authorities have banned Palestinian Authority Jerusalem Affairs Minister Ashraf al-Awar from entering the occupied West Bank for six months, Palestinian media reported on Thursday.
According to the Palestinian news agency WAFA, citing the ministry, Israeli authorities imposed the ban after summoning al-Awar for interrogation at the al-Maskubiya detention centre, where he was formally served with the decision barring his entry to the West Bank.
Describing the move as a further escalation aimed at restricting the work of official Palestinian institutions in Jerusalem and undermining efforts to support Palestinians, the ministry said al-Awar has been given 72 hours to file an appeal against the decision.
WAFA added that Israeli authorities issued a similar order at the start of last year, also prohibiting al-Awar from entering the West Bank for six months.
Palestinian officials have repeatedly criticised restrictions on the movement of Palestinian officials, arguing that such measures hinder governance and obstruct efforts to support Palestinians living under Israeli occupation.
The Ministry of Jerusalem Affairs is headquartered in the town of al-Ram, north of occupied East Jerusalem.
Israeli authorities have issued similar orders against several Palestinian officials in the past, including Jerusalem Governor Adnan Gheith.
Tensions remain high across the occupied West Bank since the outbreak of the war on Gaza on 7 October 2023, with Israeli forces and settlers having killed more than 1,000 Palestinians in the territory, according to figures from the Palestinian health ministry.