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SOUTH SHOUNEH, Jordan — The Allenby crossing between Jordan and the West Financial institution is going through “unprecedented” traveler numbers, a Jordanian official stated Tuesday, blaming Israeli authorities for overcrowding on the border.
There are a selection of official crossings between Israel and Jordan, which signed a peace treaty in 1994. Palestinians can solely use the King Hussein (Allenby) Bridge Crossing with the West Financial institution.
“What is going on now could be an unprecedented rise within the variety of vacationers in comparison with earlier years,” the pinnacle of bridge safety, Jordanian Col. Raafat Maaytah, instructed AFP on Tuesday.
Within the ready corridor contained in the King Hussein Bridge constructing, the place verification and passport procedures are dealt with, about 350 passengers had been seen ready their flip to board buses to cross to the opposite facet.
Maaytah there had been a rise in vacationers with the easing of COVID-19 restrictions, the current Muslim hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia and the feast of Eid al-Adha.
Because the journey season has ramped up inside Israel, the understaffed Ben Gurion Airport has additionally seen unprecedented crowding, delays, lengthy traces and basic chaos.
Maaytah stated the variety of passengers in search of to cross from Jordan was “round 6,000-7,000” every day, including that the Israeli authorities had been solely permitting entry for round “4,000-4,500” passengers, leaving some stranded.
Presently, the crossing is open 8 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. throughout the week and eight a.m. to three:30 p.m. on the weekends.
Colonel Rafat Maaytah, director of the Allenby Bridge crossing, speaks to the press at his workplace on July 19, 2022. (Khalil MAZRAAWI / AFP)
Israel, the Palestinians and Washington introduced throughout US President Joe Biden’s go to to the area final week that the USA would supply help to allow the crossing to remain open 24 hours a day, after Moroccan mediation on the problem.
Transportation Minister Merav Michaeli stated final week that the measure “is anticipated to return into pressure as soon as the logistical preparations have been made, together with recruiting the personnel wanted to increase the opening hours.” The White Home stated in an announcement that Israel agreed to finish the extension of opening hours by September 30.
Passengers sit in a ready room on the Jordanian facet of the Allenby Bridge crossing between the West Financial institution and Jordan on July 19, 2022. (Khalil MAZRAAWI / AFP)
In line with the Jordanian authorities, the King Hussein Bridge has acquired multiple million vacationers for the reason that starting of the yr.
The crossing is nearly completely utilized by Palestinians, who’ve a way more tough time receiving permits to fly out of Ben Gurion Airport. Because of this, most fly out and in of Amman after which are compelled to pay a collection of additional charges along with typically ready a number of hours to get by means of the border.
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