Agreement to Form a Palestinian-Jordanian Committee to Overcome Obstacles Facing Travelers at the Al-Karama Crossing

SadaNews - Palestinian Interior Minister Major General Ziad Hab Al-Raih and Jordanian Minister Mazen Al-Farraya agreed today, Thursday, to form a joint Palestinian-Jordanian committee that includes crossing directors and specialized teams from both countries to address daily needs and observations, including extending working hours at the Al-Karama crossing, and coordinating on these matters, as well as addressing urgent humanitarian cases that require travel or return.

During the meeting held at the Al-Karama crossing today, Thursday, which is the second this week, attended by the specialized teams at the borders, the ministers also agreed to work on developing infrastructure on both sides of the crossing, Palestinian and Jordanian, through mechanisms that would make travel procedures to and from the State of Palestine more efficient and smoother.

Additionally, the meeting addressed the observations and obstacles faced by travelers in light of reduced working hours at the crossing due to restrictions and procedures imposed by the Israeli occupation.

Minister Al-Farraya announced, in this context, a package of developmental projects, including improving the lounges and services provided to travelers.

Both ministers confirmed their commitment to continue bilateral efforts and communicate with international partners to increase working hours, aiming to operate the Al-Karama crossing around the clock, similar to other borders and airports worldwide.

A series of meetings were held last week in the Jordanian capital, Amman, and at the Al-Karama crossing, bringing together the two ministers along with crossing directors and specialized teams to discuss the observations, obstacles, and appeals raised by travelers in light of the crisis experienced at the crossing due to reduced working hours.

The Al-Karama crossing has recently witnessed a severe crisis, where the reduction of working hours allowed only 3,000 to 4,000 travelers to pass daily, while thousands more are waiting for permission to travel through the crossing.

The authorities continue to urge travelers to adhere to the instructions and guidelines issued by them and to arrange their travel according to the "platform" pre-booking system launched from the Jordanian side, aimed at organizing the number of travelers and facilitating travel movement.