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Location: UK, West of London in Ber...
Registered: February 2002
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Urgent Appeal
Palestinian-Israeli Jerusalemite gay couple in danger of arrest and deportation
Jerusalem, February 12
The Jerusalem Open House is appealing for the urgent assistance of international human rights organizations in the humanitarian case of a gay Jerusalemite couple (initials FM and EYN) in
danger of being permanently torn from each other in view of the escalating situation in the region. The two, an Israeli and a Palestinian, have been living together in Jerusalem since 1999. Legally, the couple fits the de-facto definition of domestic partners, as Israeli gay couples cannot marry or even register as couples in any official way.
FM and EYN wish to fulfill their basic human right for dignity and security. They have appealed numerous times to the Israeli government to grant FM residency and thus make it possible for the two to live together. Although Israel's internal security service has officially stated that there is no security risk in granting FM residency, the state refuses still, on grounds of an old misdemeanor record - an issue raised by the state on ly in these circumstances, not if the couple was Jewish, or if they were a heterosexual couple.
The couple is facing imminent arrest, as FM has no legal way of being with his Israeli partner in Jerusalem, even within the apartment where they have lived together for the past 26 months. The Israeli partner is facing imminent arrest for "assisting an illegal alien". Even the simplest journey
outside the apartment in Jerusalem puts at risk the couple's freedom and joint future.
The couple, knowing that all other official avenues have been exhausted, are now appealing directly to the Israeli Prime Minister, in hope of a humanitarian gesture. In their appeal they write: "Let us live together in Jerusalem: it is so simple. It should have been obvious, that two loving individuals could be with each other. We hope that Mr. Ariel Sharon will allow us to fulfill our right for love: perhaps it will give hope not just for the two of us, but also for Palestinians and Israelis everywhere, caught like us in this terrible time of fears and violence."
The Jerusalem Open House seeks the assistance of the international community in this urgent humanitarian case. Letters of support should be urgently faxed / emailed to:
Mr. Ariel Sharon
Prime Minister of Israel
3 Kaplan St.
Jerusalem 91919
Tel +972-2-6705555
Fax +972-2-6705475
Email rohm@pmo.gov.il
Again to: pniot@pmo.gov.il
Copy each to joh@gay.org.il. Simpl forward the emails from your sent items folder inside this one
Please send copies of your appeals to the Jerusalem Open House:
Jerusalem Open House
PO Box 33107
Jerusalem 91330
Tel +972-2-6253191
Fax +972-2-6253192
Email joh@gay.org.il
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JERUSALEM OPEN HOUSE
Serving the Capital's LGBT community, advancing pluralism
7 Ben-Yehuda Street, Jerusalem, 3rd Floor (on the pedestrian mall)
Opening Hours: Sun & Thurs 10am-11pm; Mon, Tues & Weds 10am-5pm
Tel: 02-6253191 (when calling from outside Israel: +972-2-6253191)
Mail: P.O. Box 33107, Jerusalem 91330, Israel Fax: 02-6253192
E-mail: joh@gay.org.il Website: http://www.gay.org.il/joh
The JERUSALEM OPEN HOUSE is supported by the New Israel Fund (NIF)
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