Palestinian PM Calls for Opening Quds Airport Instead of Ramon for Palestinians

Palestinian PM Calls for Opening Quds Airport Instead of Ramon for Palestinians

Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh called on the Israeli authorities to open al-Quds Airport in Jerusalem to the Palestinians in direct rejection of the authority’s proposal to open the remote Ramon Airport.

Speaking at the weekly cabinet session on Monday in Ramallah, Shtayyeh said that the Israeli authorities are fully responsible for the restrictions and disruptions of Palestinians’ movement at the Karama crossing.

He demanded the opening al-Quds Airport in Qalandia and removing all obstacles to moving people and goods to and from Palestine.

Since the beginning of summer, Palestinians have been suffering from lengthy travel procedures and humiliation at the three crossings they must pass by when traveling. They usually wait for hours before being allowed to cross; some are even forced to sleep at the border or return later because of sudden closures.

Palestinians are forced to pass through the Karama crossing, stamp their passports and pay a tax before moving in buses to the Israeli Allenby Crossing to be subject to a second check and inspection, and then via buses to the King Hussein Bridge for a third check before entering Jordan. Those traveling outside Jordan will have to go to Queen Alia Airport.

The journey takes several hours, and they must