News

The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) completed a two-day training programme for 20 senior officers from the Palestinian General Authority for Border and Crossings (GABC) and other border agencies.

On 5 June 2018, the Mission held its annual Medal Parade during which five Mission Members were recognized for having met the requirements of eligibility and having completed the necessary period of qualifying service as members of the European Union Border Assistance Mission (EUBAM) Rafah.

The Mission Members celebrated this joyous event together with representatives from the European Union Delegation in Tel Aviv, the European Union Representative in Jerusalem and the European Union Mission in the West Bank, EUPOL COPPS.

On 24 May 2018, Guenther Freisleben, the Head of the European Union Border Assistance Mission (EUBAM) Rafah visited the Gaza Strip. Following the news on the temporary, yet consecutive, reopening of the Rafah Crossing Point (RCP) for the duration of the month of Ramadan, the Head of Mission visited the Gaza Strip accompanied by experts and advisors from the Mission. The Mission’s team met with the heads of the various agencies working under the umbrella of the Palestinian Authority’s General Administration for Borders and Crossings (GABC)

The European External Action Service opened its doors to the public in celebration of the annual Open Day of the European Union on 5 May 2018 in Brussels. Both EUBAM Rafah and EUPOL COPPS took part in the one-day event, along with representatives of the latter’s counterparts from the Palestinian Civil Police and the Palestinian Bar Association. The Missions’ teams briefed the public on the mandate of the two missions as well as the activities they conduct with the Palestinian counterparts.  

Fighting intellectual property crimes is a key priority on the international agenda. Illegal trade of counterfeit products represents 2.5-3% of global trade, amounting to more than 330 billion Euro per year. Infringements of intellectual property rights reduce the revenues of the affected businesses and affect government revenue. Moreover, some counterfeit goods, such as pharmaceuticals, are produced without regard to prescribed health and safety standards and may therefore harm consumers.  

As an initial step in the process of conducting a Training Needs Assessment (TNA) for the different agencies operating under the Palestinian General Administration for Border and Crossings (GABC), EUBAM Rafah has piloted a full day session with the top-management of GABC.

Ethics Policies set the values that outline the ground rules for staff members with respect to standards of conduct. In the process of establishing a transparent and accountable public administrations in Palestine, developing sound Ethics Policies within Border Authorities is fundamental in ensuring professional ethical conduct by Border Management Staff. 

On 12 and 13 March 2018, EUBAM Rafah facilitated a workshop aimed at discussing benefits, issues and challenges linked to the implementation of Ethics Policies, with particular attention to border related activities.

On 19 March 2018, Dr. Saeb Erekat, the Secretary General of the PLO Executive Committee, received the Head of the European Union Border Assistance Mission in Rafah, Guenther Freisleben, at his office in the Negotiations Affairs Department in Jericho.

The meeting took place in the context of the Mission’s contribution to the liaison between the Palestinian, Israeli and Egyptian authorities in aspects related to border management.

On 8 March 2018, H.E. Hazem Khairat, Ambassador of Egypt to Israel welcomed the Head of the European Union Border Assistance Mission in Rafah, Guenther Freisleben to an introductory meeting at his residence in Tel Aviv. 

Mr. Freisleben outlined the fundamental role of the Mission in monitoring and mentoring and briefed the Ambassador on the activities currently conducted by the Mission to build a robust border management capacity within the group of Palestinian Authority border officials. 

Guenther Freisleben, the Head of the European Union Border Assistance Mission (EUBAM) Rafah visited Rafah Crossing Point (RCP) on 12 February 2018 for the first time since assuming his duties in December. During the visit, the Head of Mission met with PA officials and toured the border terminal.

EUBAM Rafah is mandated to provide a third party presence at the RCP between Gaza Strip and Egypt  and to liaise between the Palestinian, Israeli, and Egyptian Authorities in all aspects related to the management of the Rafah Crossing Point.