Israel blocks Qureia's entry to Jordan - Take the bus!

Soldiers manning Allenby Bridge crossing tell former Palestinian PM and his wife they can pass only by bus; security officials say decision related to anti-Israel comments

Israel prevented former Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia from crossing into Jordan by car, Ynet reported Wednesday.

Qureia, the current chairman of the Palestinian Parliament, has been entering the Hashemite Kingdom through the Allenby Bridge since his return to the territories in the aftermath of the Oslo accords in 1994.


However, Israel has officially announced that from now on only Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Salam Fayyad would receive special treatment. Security establishment officials admitted that Wednesday's decision had to do with Qureia's recent statements against Israel's settlement policy.

The former Palestinian prime minister recently said that should peace negotiations collapse, the Palestinians have the option of resorting to armed resistance.

Qureia and his wife, who plans to make the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia were told by soldiers manning the Allenby Bridge crossing that they cannot pass by car but are permitted to take the bus.

The coordinator of government activities in the territories said the Palestinian Authority was informed of the decision ahead of time.