Israel Detains 120 Foreign Activists, Clashes with Pro-Palestinian Protesters at Border
- Posted on July 9, 2011 at 3:10pm by
Madeleine Morgenstern
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Israeli security forces detain an unidentified protester during a joint pro-Palestinian demonstration held by foreign, Israeli and Palestinian demonstrators in the West Bank village of Nabi Saleh. Some of the international pro-Palestinian activists questioned at Israel's airport over the weekend have reached the West Bank and participated in anti-Israel protests Saturday. (AP Photo/Oren Ziv)
JERUSALEM (The Blaze/AP) — Some 120 foreign activists were being held in Israeli jails Saturday, awaiting possible deportation, after arriving at Tel Aviv’s airport over the weekend as part of a solidarity mission with the Palestinians, a government official said.
The Blaze previously reported Israel blocked a wave of pro-Palestinian protestors early Friday, and deported two American citizens.
Others who managed to get through Israeli border controls traveled to the West Bank where some joined a demonstration against Israel’s separation barrier. Associated Press Television footage showed some foreign activists, along with Palestinians, cutting through the barrier’s barbed wire fence with clippers. Another protester started a small brush fire.
The Israeli military said about 150 protesters gathered near the barrier just north of Jerusalem. Some threw rocks at soldiers who fired tear gas to disperse them, the army said. There were no reports of serious injuries.
One of the activists, Michael Berg, 36, from St. Louis, said he attended the protest but was not involved in vandalism. Organizers said a small number of the foreigners who participated in cutting the fence were among those who had flown in on the solidarity mission, while others had arrived in the West Bank previously.
The Palestinians oppose the barrier as a land grab because it frequently juts into the West Bank, swallowing up Palestinian farmland and properties. Israel says the structure, built in response to a wave of suicide bombings a decade ago, is a security measure.
Israel had previously expressed concern about the “fly-in,” saying it feared some of those trying to reach the West Bank would engage in violence.
Initially, some 600 foreign activists planned to fly to Tel Aviv over the weekend for what they said would be a peaceful weeklong mission in the West Bank. Israel controls all access to the West Bank, and those trying to reach it have to enter through Israeli-held crossings.
Israel took a series of measures to try to avert the mass arrival and weed out those it considered troublemakers. Israeli authorities, using information gathered on Facebook, Twitter and other websites, compiled a blacklist with more than 300 names and asked foreign airlines to block those on the list from boarding Tel Aviv-bound flights. Hundreds more landed at Tel Aviv’s airport over the weekend, and more than 400 were questioned by police, said Interior Ministry spokeswoman Sabine Haddad.
Of those, 130 were detained and six sent home immediately, she said. Another four signed forms promising not to participate in violent activities and were granted entry to Israel, she said. Haddad said all those currently in detention were offered to be released if they signed the forms.
The remaining 120 were being held at two Israeli jails while they weighed their options, Haddad said. It was not clear when they would be deported.
Palestinian organizers of the “Welcome to Palestine” movement estimated that anywhere from 12 to 100 foreigners had managed to reach the West Bank through the fly-in, with others expected in the coming days. Some traveled in earlier in the week while others appeared to have concealed their intentions.
Berg said he was not questioned at the airport and speculated that was because he did not say he wanted to “visit Palestine” as others had done. “I am a Jew and what is happening here is wrong,” Berg told The Associated Press. “I don’t want what is happening in the West Bank to be done in my name,” he said.
Mustafa Barghouti, a Palestinian organizer of “Welcome to Palestine,” said the movement planned additional gatherings throughout the West Bank.
“Israel is stupid. They believe they will stop us,” he said. “We are in touch with foreign activists who will join us in coming days and weeks. We will continue throughout the summer.”
The activists are trying to draw attention to life in the West Bank under Israeli occupation, including travel restrictions. Israel controls all access to the territory, which it captured in the 1967 Mideast war and which the Palestinians hope to make part of an independent state, along with Gaza and east Jerusalem.
Israel has been jittery about the arrival of foreign activists since a deadly naval raid on an international flotilla that tried to break Israel’s blockade of the Gaza Strip last year. Recent anti-Israel protests, including deadly clashes along the frontiers with Lebanon and Syria, have added to those concerns.
At any given time, hundreds of foreigners, including activists and aid workers, are in the West Bank.
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Comments (137)
Deda1
Posted on July 9, 2011 at 4:36pmJust put a bullet in their heads and save the rest of us the trouble. Heck we don’t want the 2 Americans back.
Report Post »BurntHills
Posted on July 9, 2011 at 4:31pmway too bad that Israel cannot just execute those monsters on the spot. this American family sure would if they trespassed on our property with the same intent –to kill us
Report Post »tarbush
Posted on July 9, 2011 at 5:41pmThey should shoot the ones cutting the fence if they fail to desist
Wouldn’t it be great if these idiots would channel their efforts into something positive instead of this crap?
Report Post »Sound The Trumpet In Zion
Posted on July 9, 2011 at 7:01pmI agree but since it turned out the way that it did, I would still label all those that went over the express purpose of doing this should be labeled a terrorist. And I don’t care if one of them named Michael Berg and is from St Louis or not. From any state or country, they ARE terrorists if they are going over there and assisting the terrorists over there then that makes them a terrorist no matter what.
Report Post »Marci
Posted on July 9, 2011 at 7:39pmI am on Israel’s side. If you are going in to protest with this bunch, you agree in the goal to exterminate them, fact. You should be jailed and then deported.
Report Post »crapgame
Posted on July 9, 2011 at 4:25pmThese useful idiots are being used by Hamas to further antagonize the Israelis, and ramp up tension in the region. The leftist media will wait on the side lines waiting for the rihgt moment to catch so called Israeli abuse of peaceful protesters. This is all part of a plan by Iran, Hamas, leftists, George Soros, and the UN, to destabilze Israel. It will truly be a long hot season of discontent, and violence.
Report Post »SiToNiTsOrOs1
Posted on July 9, 2011 at 4:22pmTrue Americans stand with Israel. WE support you. What she is doing here is making the best of a bad situation. All those who claim to be American and yet are misguided enough to support the intrusions of these “activists” should study thier history and examine the facts. Stand with Israel folks, they are right.
Report Post »techengineer11
Posted on July 9, 2011 at 4:28pmYes Israel is right…
Yebamoth 98a. All gentile children are animals.
Non Jews are all animals.. Yes America stand with the people who believe that you are animals.. You know even Hitler didn’t go that far.. He only insisted that Jews were not Germans… lol
Report Post »paperpushermj
Posted on July 9, 2011 at 5:34pmTech @ I see jews Everywhere
Report Post »Nothing gets you to the computer faster that a piece on Israel or Jeeews.
MIBUGNU2
Posted on July 9, 2011 at 6:47pm@ techengineer11
Must be right, I am a Devildog and Proud of it, OORAH !!!!
Report Post »PastorDecker
Posted on July 9, 2011 at 4:15pmWhen it comes to the issue of a nation’s security, my policy is Whatever, Whenever, Wherever, and However!
Report Post »Oh My God
Posted on July 9, 2011 at 4:58pmRight On!!
Report Post »Wishkah
Posted on July 9, 2011 at 4:10pmI have to wonder when the 83 % of American Jews who voted for Obama will realise that they have voted against Israel. Will they continue to sponsor the democrats who are out to destroy Israel?
Report Post »wordsworth
Posted on July 9, 2011 at 7:29pmI wonder why it‘s popular to express such personal resentments towards Jews that don’t share your politics, considering that a far greater number of Christian, and non-Jewish votes went into getting Obama elected.
Report Post »rienheart
Posted on July 9, 2011 at 4:08pmWe don’t want them back. Deport them to GAZA or Egypt, or Syria anywhere but here. Maybe Iran or Pakistan, Iraq, Lebanon.
Report Post »MIBUGNU2
Posted on July 9, 2011 at 4:45pmWhy pick on Isreal when they have all these other nice places
Report Post »to pick from…they have enough people to save, to last a lifetime…
They never have to come back.. God Bless !!
Rayblue
Posted on July 9, 2011 at 4:01pmThat guy with his face smushed into the asphalt isn’t smiling anymore.
I predict that more smiles will disappear in the near future.
Israelis still believe that this nation has gone crazy and crazy doesn’t work well in Gaza.
(and by crazy nation, I mean the socialists/liberals).
Report Post »LadyIzShy
Posted on July 9, 2011 at 4:01pmIsrael has EVERY right to do this. more over they are doing the RIGHT thing by sending these peopel away so they do not stir up trouble within the nation. I will stand and support Israel. God will protect her. Now if the white house would do the same we might stand a chance but alas, wont happen with the fool we call BHO
Report Post »turkey13
Posted on July 9, 2011 at 4:01pmIsrael should tuen the other cheek like the palestinians would. Catch the activist and just make them dissapear. This is what Palestin would do if they caught Jews.
Report Post »jim
Posted on July 9, 2011 at 4:00pmThank Obama for this… and American Jews who voted for him. And will vote for him again.
Report Post »Want our country back
Posted on July 9, 2011 at 5:06pmNot!!!!!
Report Post »teddrunk
Posted on July 9, 2011 at 5:18pmAmerican Jews will vote Democrat again. They couldn’t care less about Israel.
Report Post »tersky
Posted on July 9, 2011 at 3:52pmYet another reason to love Facebook; let the idiots expose themselves. Go ISRAEL, oh, and while you’ve got the blockheads locked up, how about deprogramming them before you toss them back on our soil?
Report Post »paperpushermj
Posted on July 9, 2011 at 3:51pmHere is an idea. Instead of deporting this group by plane why not take them one at a time to the Gaza border slap a Star of David armband on them and shove them into the mosh pit called Gaza.
Report Post »Mainer forever
Posted on July 9, 2011 at 4:06pmGood one!!! I like this idea. I hope it catches on.
Report Post »Jabber
Posted on July 9, 2011 at 4:06pmI’m with you. I say they STAY in Gaza!
Report Post »techengineer11
Posted on July 9, 2011 at 4:31pmAbodah Zarah 22a-22b . Gentiles prefer sex with cows.
Did you guys know this?? I didn’t know that non jews preferred sex with cows.. hmmm we better stand with them..
I wish Glenn Beck would teach me more about the love mercy and grace found in the Talmud?
Report Post »concealled9mms
Posted on July 9, 2011 at 3:41pmah hell shoot there azz who cares
Report Post »Cuthalu
Posted on July 10, 2011 at 6:46amI don’t know, God would probably care.
Report Post »BOMUSTGO
Posted on July 9, 2011 at 3:40pmI wish we had real leadership like Israel has!
Report Post »CatB
Posted on July 9, 2011 at 4:51pmLooks like we have the Gun RUNNING regime in power in the U.S.!
Obama .. Fast and Furious … putting Americans in DANGER! Gun Running PRESIDENT! Demand investigation .. bigger than Watergate?
http://www.wnd.com/?pageId=320221
TEA!
Report Post »Citizen7154
Posted on July 9, 2011 at 3:37pmIsrael should definitely lock it down. Especially if they are claiming more international activists will be joining their cause in the coming days and weeks.
Report Post »sooner12
Posted on July 9, 2011 at 3:34pmI support Israel and support whatever they wish. As far as those coming into Israel with the intent of protesting should be arrested as Israel is so doing. Israel should send those back on flights to countries other than their country of nationality and let these people find from there their own way home.
Report Post »welovetheUSA
Posted on July 9, 2011 at 3:34pmLiberal idoits…………..Go Israel, protect your nation, we are behind you. Send these idoits who have nothing better to home……we really donot want them, its okay to give them to Egypt.
Report Post »poverty.sucks
Posted on July 9, 2011 at 3:33pmGod may use calamity to strengthen his people for His purpose.
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. BFor we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Report Post »vtech61
Posted on July 9, 2011 at 3:30pmI wonder why we never see these ‘activists’
Report Post »marching in Iran or Syria, maybe even setting up protests
in N. Korea? How about hitting up the Ivory Coast,
Rwanda or any of the other wonderful hot spots while their at it?
miles from nowhere
Posted on July 9, 2011 at 3:27pmAt least Israel believes in protecting itself, which is more then I can say for the US with Obama in control with his Democratic Regime
Report Post »CatB
Posted on July 9, 2011 at 4:38pmObama .. Fast and Furious … putting Americans in DANGER! Gun Running PRESIDENT! Demand investigation .. bigger than Watergate?
http://www.wnd.com/?pageId=320221
Report Post »MIBUGNU2
Posted on July 9, 2011 at 6:42pmOversite had Holder squrming, think he needed a Pamper change..
Report Post »Just hope they don’t let these Tur**”s off easy, may go to the TOP !!!
chips1
Posted on July 9, 2011 at 8:24pmAll of your posts say you stand with Israel. You have it backwards. Israel has it under control, it’s America that needs Israels help. America is in danger and our muslim POTUS is leading the assault.
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on July 9, 2011 at 3:21pmAnd so when the radicals and the useful idiots of the West unite; then the enemies of Israel and of America will turn the world hatered higher and higher against us all until the world cries for someone to step in and liberate the Palestinians from the ‘repression’ they are suffering.
Report Post »http://artinphoenix.com/gallery/grimm
kerf
Posted on July 9, 2011 at 3:19pmThe attacks on Israel by the left are increasing by the day. Israel is in danger!
Report Post »IAMNOTKNOWING
Posted on July 9, 2011 at 3:44pmThat’d be a big fat “negatory.”
Israel is not “in danger.”
America is “in danger.”
God‘s got Israel’s back. … I’m not as sure about us anymore.
We‘d better right our ship next November or we’re toast!
Report Post »mwhaley
Posted on July 9, 2011 at 3:16pmPalestinians you are poking the bear!
Report Post »MIBUGNU2
Posted on July 9, 2011 at 4:34pmWonder if that asphalt is as HOT as it is in Phoenix ??
Report Post »That would definitely leave a mark.. Souvenir from the Holyland..
BOMUSTGO
Posted on July 9, 2011 at 3:16pmLooks like they are being stopped to me! Go Israel!!!
Report Post »CatB
Posted on July 9, 2011 at 3:24pm“activists” …… ? WTH? … better description TERRORISTS!
I stand with ISRAEL!
TEA!
Report Post »banjarmon
Posted on July 9, 2011 at 3:47pmThe UN-Americans from America, Give them a one-way ticket half way across the Atlantic and drop them off in a wet spot.
Report Post »MIBUGNU2
Posted on July 9, 2011 at 4:25pmDon’t know who the “stupid” one is here, I’d say
Report Post »the one on the ground…UH HUH !!
obama-mecca-me-sick
Posted on July 9, 2011 at 4:32pmDear Israel
Report Post »Please dont catch and release these loser progressives and anarchist. Do America a favor and keep them in jail with long sentences and hard labor for threatening your sovereignty.
Thanks
The Tea Party