News

EUBAM Rafah, in close cooperation with the General Administration of Borders and Crossings (GABC), facilitated a two-day training held by the Palestinian Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) on the role of GABC in encountering the specter of corruption.

The training aimed at preparing Palestinian officers operating at the crossings to identify the different forms of corruption and to handle corruption cases according to the procedures adopted by GABC.

The Council of the European Union has extended the Mandate of the EU Border Assistance Mission for the Rafah Crossing Point (EUBAM Rafah), as well as the Mandate of the EU Coordinating Office for Palestinian Police Support (EUPOL COPPS) in Ramallah, until 30 June 2019.

Both missions forms part of the 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.

In its efforts to increase the capacities of the General Administration for Border and Crossings (GABC), the Mission conducted a three day ‘train-the-trainer’ course for Palestinian border officers.

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.