Israel has apparently switched up its visa rules in respects to visitors also wishing to travel to the West Bank, under control of the Palestinian Authority. While before one visa applied to both regions, meaning a person travelling to Israel could also travel into the West Bank and then back to Israel.
Now it seems Israel is effectively refusing to issue visas to any visitor who intends to visit the Palestinian Authority. Although the policy is being implemented sparingly, it can still abruptly ruin a person’s travel plans.
The Palestinian Authority has protested the measures saying it unfairly restricts commerce in the West Bank. The US State Department has also issued a statement criticizing the new visa policies.
If you would like to read more about the new visa regulations, please take a look at this article from Time Magazine: http://news.yahoo.com/s/time/20090822/wl_time/08599191791700
