Posted on 07/11/2004 7:47:59 PM PDT by Pharmboy
JERUSALEM -- A Jewish American was denied entry to Israel because she belongs to a pro-Palestinian group, her lawyer said Sunday -- a rare case of a Jew banned from the Jewish state.
Jamie Spector, 32, a social worker from San Francisco, arrived in Israel on Saturday to protest the West Bank separation barrier Israel is constructing. She has been held in detention since defying the order to leave, said her lawyer, Yael Berda. The separation barrier was ruled illegal in an advisory opinion on Friday by the International Court of Justice in The Hague, Netherlands.
Israel dismissed the nonbinding ruling as one-sided, charging that it encourages terrorism. Israel says the barrier is needed to keep Palestinian attackers out of the country, but Palestinians call it a land grab because it dips into the West Bank. Spector was denied entry because of her affiliation with the International Solidarity Movement, a pro-Palestinian group active in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, Berda said. The group's members often place themselves in between Palestinians and Israeli forces to prevent the army from carrying out operations.
Tova Ellinson, spokeswoman for the Ministry of the Interior, said officials acted in accordance with a security recommendation. She refused to comment further. Huwaidi Arraf, an American-born Palestinian and founder of the ISM, said that more than 10 group members have been refused entry into Israel in the past month. Two other ISM activists are in the same detention center as Spector. Israel charges that the activists defy military orders and endanger themselves and soldiers. Many ISM members have been deported. However, banning Spector's entry was different, Berda said. "This is a special case," she told The Associated Press. "It is very difficult for Israel to ban Jews from entering the country.
It means that the courts will look differently on her." With few exceptions, Jews are allowed automatic entry into Israel and are offered citizenship. "I am very sorry that the Israeli government is denying me entry into the country where I have so many family and friends," Spector said. "I am committed to nonviolent actions and also to protest the illegal apartheid wall." Berda relayed the AP's questions and Spector's answers by telephone.
(Excerpt) Read more at newsday.com ...
Ohhhhhhkaaaaaaayyyyyy. "Nuff said.
Too bad we couldn't introduce her to a bulldozer...
That says it all.
Yes, it's their country so they're quite entitled to be picky. Maybe Uncle Sam could learn from them. Some hope, right ?
Hey Israel...we don't want her back!
Classic example of somebody who's unclear on the concept.
Any Jew who identifies with Israel's enemies and works for the destruction of the Jewish State should never be welcome in Israel.
This is great a holiday to jail.
Self-hating Israelis are like self-hating Americans (like Michael Moore) - They're traitors. Is there a way we can prevent her re-entry into the U.S., as well?
I am very sorry that the Israeli government is denying me entry into the country where I have so many family and friends,"
Too bad all her friends are Pali's.
Another liberal sucker. They will use her as long as it fits their purposes . They would kill her in a heartbeat.
A social worker from San Francisco ... she belongs to a pro-Palestinian group, her lawyer said Sunday
Must be nice to be a "lowly social worker" and be able to afford world tours AND personal lawyers!
Good for them. Keep the traitors out.
Right on! Right on! Right on! Salute to Israel! The last thing that country needs are those liberal leftist communists from the queer capital of the world, San Francisco. The one city where its denizens don't mind the demoncRATS taking all of their money and redistributing the wealth to the rest of the country and the world. BTW, I'm waiting for my fair share to hit. Hehehehe!
If she was denied entry into Israel for belonging to a anti government group, she needs to go to Iran and start protesting. As a Jewish person, her presence would be sorely needed, and the government in Iran loves her to death.
DK
Hmph! Imagine that, a country with immigration policies designed to protect its citizens.
Perhaps the US State Dept. and the Immigration Service could send a group to study their immigration system and see if they could implement any of their procedures.
Naaaaaah, that would makes too much sense and sense and the US government are the world's most absurd oxymoron.
Ouch.
Rachel Corrie on line two.
"Jamie Spector, 32, a social worker from San Francisco"
Good Job keeping her out.
Jews who are not sufficiently pro-Israel are refused entry into the country.
And the majority of the UN still insists that Israel is the real problem.
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