Israel ‘officially’ denies entry o f BDS activist
BETHLEHEM: Israeli authorities denied the entry of a Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) activist into the country at the Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv on Monday, in what Israeli media reported was “the first time” the country “officially” denied entry to a foreign national who supports the movement for Palestinian rights.
Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported that activist Isabel Phiri, a Malawi national, landed at the airport on Monday afternoon, but was denied entry as a tourist “on the basis of her activism for the World Council of Churches (WCC) group which supports the BDS movement”.
The decision involved officials higher up than just airport security officials, according to Haaretz, who said the final decision was made by Israeli Interior Minister Aryeh Deri “following consultations with Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan”.
“Officials say it was the first time Israel has rejected a tourist visa on the basis of anti-Israeli action including the advancement of economic, cultural and academic boycotts,” Haaretz said.
Israel’s Strategic Affairs Ministry said the WCC “has been advancing the Ecumenical Accompaniment Program (EAPPI) in Palestine since 2002, and said its activists arrive in Israel for specific periods for anti-Israeli activities”, according to Haaretz.
On the WCC’s website, under the “Israel and Palestine” section, the EAPPI description reads that the programme “seeks to support local and international efforts to end the Israeli occupation and bring a resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict with a just peace, based on international law and relevant United Nations resolutions”.
Haaretz quoted Deri as saying the decision was made under his jurisdiction, which “is intended for use against those who arrive under false pretences to conduct anti-Israeli activity”.
“Granting an entry permit to activists such as Phiri would in effect reinforce the wrongful activities she and her peers are advancing and I have no intention of lending a hand to that,” he said. Erdan went on to say the “place for boycotters” was outside of Israel’s borders, and that Israel “shall continue to do everything possible to prevent them from entering our country”.
Neither an Israel Airports Authority, Israel Security Agency, nor Israel Defence Ministry spokesman were immediately available for comment. – Ma’an