 Action Group | Jordan
Informed sources told the Action Group that the Jordanian authorities facilitate the entry of Palestinian refugees holding Syrian travel documents under certain conditions and reasons, such as visiting relatives, being elderly, conducting a “family reunification” interview at European embassies in Jordan, or transiting to Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah.
The sources informed the Action Group that several offices announced their provision of entry approval to Jordan for Syrian-Palestinian and Lebanese individuals to conduct interviews at embassies, under their sponsorship. For those with an interview at the American embassy, the offices ensure entry to Jordan along with automated guidance services for booking the medical examination and attending the interview at the American embassy.
Also, those who have a family reunification appointment at the German, Dutch, Swedish, Austrian, Belgian, or any European embassy, in addition to those who have a visit visa document for Saudi Arabia, the offices can issue an entry visa for the Syrian Palestinian refugee.
This was confirmed by several Palestinian refugees to the Action Group, as their relatives in Jordan applied for a visit, and after about 20 days, the approval came through. They entered Jordanian lands via the Nasib border crossing between Jordan and Syria, and stayed there for about a month with the possibility of extension.
The Jordanian authorities had closed their borders to Palestinian refugees fleeing the hell of war in Syria under the pretext of the right of return and combating the “alternative homeland” and “settlement” projects. As a result, many of them were sent back to Syrian lands during the years of war, exposing some to arrest and killing. Those who managed to enter its landat the beginning of the events were placed in the “Cyber City” camp, which is like a completely secured detention center where refugees are held and not allowed to leave except under strict conditions and guarantees for a day or two. After the closure of the Cyber City camp, Jordan transferred the remaining Syrian Palestinian families to the King Abdullah Park camp in the Jordanian city of Ramtha.
UNRWA estimates the number of Palestinian refugees coming from Syria in Jordan to be around 21,000 refugees, living in various camps and areas, facing significant challenges in accessing basic services, education, work, and legal residency.