Israeli parliamentarians denied access to detained American BDS supporter

Three Knesset Members from Meretz were denied entry to the Ben Gurion Airport detention facility upon their  ‘surprise’ visit to see the 22 yr-old American woman who has been held for over five days now.

By ZACHARY KEYSER

 

Meretz Members of Knesset Tamar Zandberg, Issawi Farig and Musi Raz were not allowed to visit Lara Alqasem, the Florida university student who has been detained by the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) at Ben-Gurion Airport for alleged Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions activity since arriving in Israel on Tuesday.

Lara Al-qasem, once served as Florida University president of Students for Justice in Palestine, an anti-Israel group which supports the BDS movement against Israel’s existence.

The student is being detained until the court sorts out her status with the Strategic Affairs Ministry, having opposed her entry into the country and the Tel Aviv Magistrate’s Court ratifying that decision.

Attorney Yotam Ben-Hallel has already filed an appeal to the Tel Aviv District Court, no hearing date has been set.

The Meretz members arrived on Sunday for a ‘surprise’ visit to the detention facility at Ben Gurion Airport, where the 22-year-old has been held for over five days now.

Meretz Mks at entry to Ben Gurion Airport’s prison facility. – Photo: MERETZ

After a two-hour delay and the attempted intervention of the Knesset’s legal advisor, Minister Deri announced that he would approve the MKs entry on the condition they send a written request.

However, despite having sent the request, the MKs were denied entry to the prison facility.

Yonah Jeremy Bob contributed to this report.

 

View original The Jerusalem Post publication at:
https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/MKs-denied-permission-to-visit-Florida-student-accused-of-BDS-activity-568859