Israel’s Defense Minister revokes VIP entry permit of Palestinian official

Israel’s Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman canceled Mohammed Al-Madani’s VIP entry permit, saying the Palestinian Authority’s outreach liaison to Israeli society was engaging in “subversive political activities.”

By Lilach Shoval, Israel Hayom Staff & The Associated Press

 

Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman on Wednesday revoked the VIP entry permit of the Palestinian Authority’s outreach liaison to Israeli society.

The Qalandiya crossing between Jerusalem and Ramallah –  Photo: IDF Spokesperson’s Unit

Lieberman said the VIP permit of Mohammed Al-Madani was revoked because he had engaged in “subversive political activities,” including trying to create a political party that included Israeli Arabs and Mizrahi Jews.

“It is totally unreasonable for a foreign official to try to establish a political party in a different country,” Lieberman said.

The VIP permit allowed Al-Madani to enter Israeli territory without long waits at checkpoints.

Al-Madani said he had met with hundreds of Israelis across the political spectrum in an attempt to revive the moribund Israeli-Palestinian peace process and reach a two-state solution. He denied he had been seeking to create a political party.

Al-Madani said the cancellation of his permit exposed the “racist character … Lieberman brought to the Israeli Defense Ministry.”

 

View original Israel Hayom publication at:
http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_article.php?id=34373