Israel stripped thousands of Palestinians of their right to live in the West Bank over a 27-year period, forcing most of them into permanent exile abroad, a document obtained under freedom of information laws has disclosed.
Around 140,000 Palestinians who left to study or work had their residency rights revoked between 1967 and 1994. Those leaving the West Bank across the Allenby bridge border were required to deposit their identity documents with officials. In return they were given a card, valid for three years, which could be extended three times for an additional year.
If they stayed abroad more than six months beyond the expiration of the card, Israel deemed them “NLRs” – no longer resident – and their right to return was revoked.
– ( Guardianservice)