November 14, 2000

970… Your Gateway to Palestine
Number of countries utilizing 970 code is continuously increasing. 55 countries currently and more under way.

Arab countries
Algeria (Ministry of PTT), Jordan (JTC), Oman (GTO), Qatar(Q-Tel), Bahrain (Batelco), Kuwait (DIRGENTEL - MoC), Morocco (IAM), Saudi Arabia (Saudi Telephone Company), Yemen (TELEYEMEN), Sudan (SudaTel), Tunisia (Tunisie Telecom), Egypt (Telecom Egypt), UAE (Etisalat), Iran (Intertel Tehran. Iran)
Non-Arab countries

China (China Telecom), USA (MCI)(MCI), Hungary (MATAV), Turkey (Turk Telecom), Belgium (Belgacom), Brazil (Embratel), Sweden (Telia), Greece (OTE), India (VSNL), Canada (Teleglobe), Peru (Telefonica), Finland-Sonerra (Sonerra), UK (CWC), Singapore (Telecom, Singapore), Netherlands (KPN), Indonisia (INDOSAT), Australia (Optus), Ierland (Eircom), Denemark (TeleDenemark), Mexico (TELMEX), Cuba (ETECSA), South Africa (Telekom SA limited), France (France Telecom), Romania (ROMTELECOM), Nicaragua (enitel), San Marino, Switzerland (Swisscom), Switzerland (Sunrise), Poland (Polish Telecom), Spain (Telefonica), USA (AT&T), Malaysia (Malaysia Telekom), UK (BT), Malta (Maltakom), Venezuela (CANTV), Colombia

In 1999, Palestine regained its national right in utilizing the Palestinian Gateway 970 as stipulated by the UN resolution 191, following a long strive with the International Telecommunications Union (ITU). With the activation of 970, Palestine can now link directly to the world without the need to go through the Israeli code 972.
Work is in progress to sign further mutual agreements with other countries to recognize Palestine international independent telephone code. Nevertheless, political complications still cause serious obstacles, which hinders smooth proceeding in this track.