RAMALLAH, December 5, 2006, (WAFA)- Right of Entry Campaign said that the Israeli Civil Administration is refusing to accept at least 140 passports for visa extensions.

The Campaign considered the step a new escalation of Israel's policy of denying Palestinians access to the Palestinian territory.

It made it clear that he passport holders are mostly spouses and children of Palestinian I.D holders and are residing in the OPT, adding that many of them have been forced to become "illegal" since their visitor visas have expired while waiting to be renewed by Israel.

"Palestinian I.D.s can only be issued by Israel. Since Israel is refusing to process an estimated 120,000 family unification residency applications of spouses and children of Palestinians, foreign family members must renew their visa every three months," the Campaign said.

Meanwhile, Shlomo Dror, Spokesperson for the Israeli Civil Administration stated that those foreign passport holders with family in the OPT who stay illegally in the country, should expect "tough consequences.

Spokesperson from the Campaign for the Right of Entry, Basil Ayish, said that "Israel is working overtime to create a demographic change in the OPT by targeting the most vulnerable segment of Palestinian society, denying them residency and forcing them to leave."

H.M (22:53 P) (20:53 GMT)