March 9, 2001
  
The following letter from ADC President Hala Maksoud to Secretary of State Colin Powell alerts the State Department to Israel’s refusal to allow some Arab Americans to travel using their United States passports.  ADC has urged the State Department to investigate this matter and take the necessary actions to reassure the Arab-American community, particularly those of Palestinian origin, that their country will protect them when they choose to travel abroad.
 
TEXT OF LETTER FROM HALA MAKSOUD TO COLIN POWELL:
 
March 8, 2001
 
The Honorable Colin L. Powell
Secretary of State
U.S. State Department
2201 C Street, NW
Washington, DC 20520
 
Dear Mr. Secretary,
 
I am writing on behalf of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC), the largest grassroots organization dedicated to protecting the civil rights of Arab Americans in the United States.  The purpose of this letter is to bring to your attention a disturbing matter regarding the treatment of United States citizens of Palestinian origin in the State of Israel.   These American citizens, on departing the State of Israel, are being denied the right to use their US passports.  ADC is highly concerned that this Israeli policy is challenging the legitimacy of an American citizen’s right to his or her passport in leaving the State of Israel.  It is even more disturbing that the Consular section of the United States in Israel is not protecting these American citizens.
 
This issue was brought to ADC’s attention a few months ago.  Numerous complaints and incidents were reported to us by civil rights organizations, such as Partners for Peace, and individuals who have been personally denied departure when exiting the State of Israel using their US passports or who have had immediate family members who were also denied.  These individuals have complained that Israel refuses to acknowledge American citizenship carried by Palestinian Americans.
 
Just two weeks ago,   Mrs. Katerina Araman, a naturalized US citizen from South Bend, Indiana, and her four-year-old American born daughter, Sarah, were not permitted to use their American passports while on their way out of  Israel.  On the date of their departure, they were informed by the Israeli authorities at Ben Gurion Airport that according to Israeli law, they could not leave as American citizens using their American passports.  Mrs. Araman then contacted the United States Consulate General to protest her treatment.  She was surprisingly informed by US Consulate officials that there was nothing the United States could do about this issue.  The US Consulate representative shockingly cited Israeli law and stated that she must obtain a Palestinian travel document and then apply for an Israeli exit visa.  Mrs. Araman and her daughter were subsequently forced to obtain Palestinian travel documents and an Israeli exit visa in order for them to leave the country.  Their American passports were simply ignored.
 
ADC is concerned that this Israeli policy is denying American citizens of Palestinian descent the right to use their US passports and that the United States government is not protecting these American citizens.   I strongly urge you to investigate this matter and take the necessary actions which would reassure the Arab-American community, and particularly those of Palestinian origin, that their country will protect them when they choose to travel abroad and visit a foreign country.
 
Sincerely,
Hala Maksoud, Ph.D.
President
 

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ADC is the largest Arab-American grassroots organization in the United States. It was founded in 1980 by former Senator James Abourezk. To receive membership information, please send us your name and mailing address or visit our website.
 

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