Sudan removes Israel travel ban from new passport
October 13, 2009 (KHARTOUM) — The Sudanese government downplayed the significance of changes made to the new generation of Sudanese passports that practically allows its bearer to use it to travel to Israel.
Sudan, as a member of International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is required to issue MRP containing biometric information to its citizens by April 2010.
The old Sudanese passport had a stamp on it reading that it is valid for “All Countries Except Israel”. South Africa is the only other country to be covered by this ban in the history of Sudanese passports during the apartheid era.
Major General Adam Daleel assistant police chief for passports and civil registry told the pro-government Al-Rayaam newspaper in an interview that said that removing the ban was a procedural decision relating to the size of the stamp on the passport.
Daleel stressed that people should not read too much into this step stressing that Sudan is committed to Arab embargo on Israel that commenced in 1958.
The Sudanese official said that removing the stamp should not be understood as endorsing trips by its citizens to the Jewish state.
He noted that the Sudanese national assembly at some point objected to the stamp saying it is a recognition of Israel.
Daleel acknowledged that Sudanese citizens can use the passport to travel to Israel if they reside outside the country but that the authorities will not grant an exit visa to anyone intending to head towards the Jewish state.
Sudan has no diplomatic relations established with Israel and remains hostile to the Jewish state on the grounds that it is occupying Arab lands.
This year it was revealed that Israel conducted an airstrike inside Sudan on an arms convoy believed to be headed towards Gaza strip.
Ironically, Israel has witnessed an influx of Sudanese refugees particularly from the war ravaged region of Darfur who filed for asylum after crossing the dangerous terrain at the Egyptian border which took a toll on several of them shot by border patrol.
Israel considers Sudan, a Muslim-dominated country, an “enemy state” and maintains a policy of not allowing citizens of a state with this classification of residing in the country though it ended up giving hundreds of them a protected status and work permits for humanitarian reasons.
According to United Nations figures of 2007, the number of the Sudanese in Israel was estimated at 1,200 refugees from Sudan in Israel.
(ST)
Hakuna Matata
Sudan removes Israel travel ban from new passport
Isreal should ICC catch that criminal of a president called Bashiir.. while GOSS should build any necessary economics and military ties with the Jews state because they know how to fuck Arabs than anybody else
oshay
Sudan removes Israel travel ban from new passport
Any patriotic Sudanese would not visit that apartheid state while minorities like Southerners are seeking independence and self determination. Just because they subjugate Arabs, it doesn’t make it right and all Southerners must acknowledge this.
Dinka Boy
Sudan removes Israel travel ban from new passport
Its is absosultey naive for the Government of Sudan to enforced the trouble ban to Isreal because its the Jew States. The passport should be flexible in which citizens would go any where in the continents.
Mr criminal Bashier is behind the trouble ban. There is no difference to allowed the passport to those who live out Sudan to trouble. If you are wise enough how abouit if the refuse and ban Sudanese trouble too.
That is why We ( Southerners) fought you guys because you Arabs are selfish and suspicious for everything.
My friend, when you guys called Sudan Arabs state will wage war aganist you.
My advise to you Arabs, just used it for now and that is the end. Even if we divide SUdan or Unit it, it will not be called Sudan, its will have new names if we Unite,but if we separate your part will not remained as Sudan please noticed that in your mindset.
My friend calling Sudan Arab nation is death dear criminals.
Thanks
Akol Liai Mager
Sudan removes Israel travel ban from new passport
This is a very, very welcome developments. We must praise SPLM and Ustaz Abdel Wahid Mohamed Al-Nur’s SLM for their fruitful advocacy.
What the Sudanese people are waiting for right now, are the historical political decisions from Al-Bashir to declare the dead of Old Sudan, Installation of New Sudan, Guilt for Darfur’s Genocide and a visit to Tel Aviv and Jerussalem.
All Sudan’s problems will be solved if Al-Bashir would courageously make decisions listed above; especially admitting his guilty of Darfur genocide and follow Abu Garda to Hague.
If Al-Bashir does that; he will receive a pardon from the victim families, but he needs to go to Juba away from those Islamic Gangs led by Not-Nafie and make those decisions there under the protection of New Sudan Forces.
Time1
Sudan removes Israel travel ban from new passport
Finally they have recognized the great democratic state of Israel, more to come soon, we want to see Israeli embassy in Sudan and Sudanese embassy in tel aviv very soon.
jalabi
Sudan removes Israel travel ban from new passport
That’s really bad news for south Sudan!
It’s clear that new Sudan policy is to make relation with Israel gradually and in a silent way, as we know, having good relation with Israel means good relation with Congress and America, if you’ve relation with Israel America will close its eye for what ever wrong you did, example for that Turkey State, they use to oppress and bombard Kurds and kill them frequently and America says nothing about that because of Turkey Israel relationship, Saddam hit Kurds by chemical weapons and America said nothing because of the good relation between them at that time, Serylanka perished Tamil rebel and America welcomed, India and Kashmeer, etc.
It’s just a matter of time till Sudan throw CPA into basket garbage and America will shut its mouth, not even that but will consider south new rebel a terrorist organization and Mr. Kiir and Pagan Amom will spend the rest of their life in Guantánamo prison!
Really bad news for southerners separatists.
Jalabi (Abo Jalabia)
mohammed osman
Sudan removes Israel travel ban from new passport
I cannot believes my eyes this Ingaz government make us to bow down to the jewish and thier zionists agendas against the muslims.
We are ready to defend our rights from this zionists, let them free palestine now or there is no any relationships with them forever.
Allah cursed Omer basher for bowing down to the imperialists jewish killers of muslims. we need a new president this country is finish if Omer basher he is continues as presidents.
Dinka Aliap Chawul
Sudan removes Israel travel ban from new passport
There was no need in first place to impose travel ban on Israel since Sudan is not an Arab country.Sudanese are free people that should travel anywhere the feel comfortable with.
Lukudu
Sudan removes Israel travel ban from new passport
The act of removing Israel from travel ban is nothing but a big trap to catch those who would like to go to Israel. What do people think will happen if one asks for an exit visa to go to Israel? The answer is that you have asked to be killed. When the government said they do not allow Sudanese to travel to Israel from Sudan, what is the need for including Israel on to the list of countries that Sudanese would travel to?
The real Arabs including the Palestinians who have long history of being enemies with Israels are living together and share many things in common, but what is Sudan or what has Israel done wrong against Sudan?
As Southern Sudanese, we not need to be exempted or restricted from the rest of the world as we all live in the same planet. It is neither hard nor difficult to enter Israel. We need to have strong ties with Israel as they are and will for ever be our best friends on earth. Now that we have many Sudanese living in Israel both Christians and Muslims, Israel does not discriminate among them on religious grounds. All Sudanese in Israel are treated equally regardless of their believe in what ever religion they practise.
All those Arab countries or moslem countries who are both enemies and are friends of Israel live in the same geographical location (the middle east)then why is Sudan bitter about Israel when it is an African country?