FAQs

 

1- WHAT IS EUBAM?

2- WHAT DOES EUBAM DO?

3- WHAT IS THE PRESENT SITUATION?

4- WHAT IS EUBAM DOING NOW?

5- CAN EUBAM OPEN THE CROSSING POINT?

6- WHY IS EUBAM BASED IN ISRAEL?

7- DO YOU EXPECT THE CROSSING POINT TO OPEN AGAIN SOON?

8- WHAT HAS EUBAM ACHIEVED?

 

 

WHAT IS EUBAM?

• EUBAM is a European Union (EU) mission under European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP).
• It is composed mainly of Police, Border Police and customs officers from 17 EU Member States.
• The Mission represents an EU contribution to the Middle East Peace Process (MEPP) in general, and to the implementation of the Agreement on Movement and Access (AMA) in particular. The AMA was agreed in November 2005.
• The role of EUBAM is to act as a neutral 3rd party at the Rafah Crossing Point (RCP).
• The mandate of EUBAM comes from 2 documents finalized in November 2005 as a result of the AMA. They are the Agreed Principles for Rafah Crossing Point and the Agreed Arrangements on the EUBAM at the RCP on the Gaza-Egypt border.

 

WHAT DOES EUBAM DO?

• The main role of EUBAM is to actively monitor, verify and evaluate the performance of the Palestinian Authority (PA) with regard to the implementation of the Agreed Principles for Rafah Crossing Point and to act with authority to ensure that the PA complies with all applicable rules and regulations. It does this by providing a monitoring team at RCP, and by leading a Liaison Office at Kerem Shalom, where the operation of the crossing is coordinated by PA and Israeli representives.
• EUBAM also contributes to Palestinian capacity building in all aspects of border control.
• By providing a neutral 3rd party monitoring mechanism EUBAM helps to build confidence between the parties.
• EUBAM mediates between the parties when appropriate on issues relating to RCP.

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WHAT IS THE PRESENT SITUATION?

The operations of EUBAM were suspended on 13 June 2007 due to the Hamas takeover of the Gaza Strip. The EU has a policy of no contact with Hamas.

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WHAT IS EUBAM DOING NOW?

• Due to the suspension of operations in June 2007 EUBAM has downsized. However, the Mission retains an operational capability. Its main role is to be prepared to return to RCP at short notice as soon as circumstances allow.
• Liaison with the Parties is maintained on a regular basis.
• Capacity-building projects have been and are being prepared.
• Where appropriated EUBAM provides support to other EU operations.

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CAN EUBAM OPEN THE CROSSING POINT?

RCP can only be opened by agreement between the Parties. EUBAM cannot itself open the crossing point. The Mission is ready to help the Parties implement a return to the November 2005 agreements, or indeed any appropriate new agreements involving RCP.

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WHY IS EUBAM BASED IN ISRAEL?

The original intention was to have the Mission in the Gaza Strip in a special-built compound at RCP, with the Mission Headquarters in Gaza City. Due to security situation it was never possible to move into either the compound or the office. When RCP was operational the monitors traveled to RCP through Kerem Shalom. The Mission has remained in Ashkelon, which is conveniently near to the Gaza Strip.

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DO YOU EXPECT THE CROSSING POINT TO OPEN AGAIN SOON?

The opening of the crossing point is dependent on agreement being reached between Palestinian factions, and also between the PA and the Government of Israel. Agreement and cooperation will also be required from the Government of Egypt. Recent events -the breaching of the border on 23 January 2008- have highlighted once again the importance of the Rafah Crossing Point. It is to be hoped that the Parties will be able to reach a workable agreement in the short to medium term.

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WHAT HAS EUBAM ACHIEVED?

• The opening of the Rafah Crossing Point with EUBAM as a neutral 3rd party represented the only part of the AMA to be fully implemented.
• EUBAM has facilitated the crossing over nearly 500,000 people since it deployed at the end of November 2005.
• EUBAM was able to provide a forum where Palestinian and Israeli officials could work together towards common objectives. The Mission was able to facilitate confidence building between the Parties.
• From the end of June 2006 until operations were suspended on 13 June 2007, RCP was only able to open on an occasional basis. EUBAM was able to maximize the number of days open, by mediating between the Parties and maintaining the ability to respond immediately when required.
• A summary of statistics concerning the operations of EUBAM can be found here.

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