News

The EU's Political and Security Committee has appointed Günther Freisleben, a high-ranking police official serving in the Baden-Wuerttemberg police, as new Head of the European Union border assistance Mission for the Rafah Crossing Point, EU BAM Rafah.

The Council has extended the mandate of the EU border assistance mission for the Rafah crossing point (EU BAM Rafah), as well as the mandate of the EU coordinating office for Palestinian police support (EUPOL COPPS) until 30 June 2018. These missions are part of wider EU efforts in support of Palestinian state building in the context of working towards a comprehensive resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict based on a two-state solution.

On 01 June 2017, EUBAM Rafah organized its Annual Medal Parade. A yearly occasion to reward the Mission’s team for the work accomplished with the Palestinian counterparts and international stakeholders. This year, the Mission was privileged by the presence of the first head of EUBAM Rafah Mission, Gen. Pistolese, as well as other representatives from the sister mission, EUPOL COPPS. Gen. Pistolese was congratulated and made a short speech while briefing attendees on the experience of the first EU Mission to serve at the Rafah Crossing Point. The HoM, Ms.

From 23 to 25 May 2017, 19 participants from different administrations of the General Administration for Border and Crossings (GABC) attended a second TAIEX training, on IPR and ‘Fight against Counterfeiting’, funded by the ‘Technical Assistance and Information Exchange’ program (TAIEX) in collaboration with EUBAM Mission.

On 23 May 2017, the opening ceremony of the GABC Rehabilitated Training Center located at Al Karamah Terminal in Jericho was successfully achieved.

EUBAM Rafah HoM Ms. Natalina Cea and GABC GD Mr. Nazmi Mouhanna chaired the opening ceremony with the presence of border agencies top managers, officers, instructors, and EUBAM mission staff members.

From 15 to 18 May 2017, EUBAM Rafah organized a study visit held in Finland. 8 representatives from the General Administration for Borders and Crossings (GABC) participated to this study visit and met with experts from the Finnish authorities.

The study visit was hosted by the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Customs Administrations, which aimed at providing the participants with an understanding of the EU best practices in the implementation of the Integrated Border Management (IBM) concept.

On 8 May 2017, 33 participants from the General Administration for Border and Crossings (GABC) and relevant stakeholders attended a workshop in Jericho on Cooperation among Judiciary and Investigative Authorities.

The workshop was structured to provide participants with an overview of the Palestinian legal framework on criminal investigations, reporting, operational and coordinating activities with the State Prosecution office. In addition to a presentation on the legal framework, practical cases and main procedural aspects concerning the Customs Courts in Palestine.

Brussels - 06 May 2016 - EUPOL COPPS and EUBAM Rafah participated in the Open Day of the European Institutions organised in Brussels. The event was a great opportunity to present both missions activities to a broad audience. EUPOL COPPS team was accompanied by Lt. Col. Tareq Dawabshah, Director of the International Communication and Liaison Unit of the Palestinian Civil Police and by Mr. Ahmad Hannon, Court of Appeal Chief Prosecutor to answer the numerous questions of the visitors.

From 2 to 6 May 2017, EUBAM Rafah organized a Study Visit to an EU Member State (Sweden) for 5 participants from the General Administration for Borders and Crossings (GABC).

The study trip took place at ‘Folke Bernadotte Academy’ in Sando island, which aimed at improving the professional performance of the Palestinian Authority officers in order to deliver future training modules while adopting the ‘Training of Trainers’ pedagogical methodology and the learning process.

From 2 to 4 May 2017, 17 participants from different security forces attended a training in Jericho on Criminal Investigations in relation with the judiciary, and on Risk Analysis Management System.

The training was structured to provide participants with an overview of the domestic experience on investigative activities and by illustrating the main legal framework and procedural methodologies, as well as an overview of international best practices.