by Areej Abuqudairi | Aug 26, 2012

AMMAN — Israel denied around 100 international pro-Palestine activists entry to the West Bank via Jordan on Sunday.

The activists attempted to cross the King Hussein Bridge after authorities at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport denied them entry in July 2011 and April 2012.

Olivia Zemor, organiser of “Welcome to Palestine” campaign, told The Jordan Times that activists were returned very quickly by the Israeli authorities.

“We were on two buses. They [Israeli checkpoint] took all passports and stamped ‘rejected’ for everyone, without questioning or even inspecting the things we have. They did not even allow the second bus to reach the checkpoint. They sent them back immediately.”

Zemor had told journalists at a press conference just before heading to the bridge, that activists will demand justification from Israel if it stops them from going to the West Bank.

“If Israel prevents us from entering, they need to say why. Is it because we are not agreeing with [Israeli Prime Minister] Netanyahu’s policy?”

Although angered by the move, activists said they were not surprised.

“Considering the way Israel treats the Palestinians, we are not surprised. Israel claims to be the only democracy in the region, but in fact it is only a prison, where even visitors are not allowed to enter,” Zemor said.

The activists had planned to spend a week with Palestinian families in Bethlehem, and distribute a tonne of schoolbags, pencils, notebooks and other supplies to children.

Activists said they took school supplies as donations for Palestinian children, because they believed “Israeli apartheid” made it difficult for Palestinian children to access education.

The activists, who had children on board with them, are of various nationalities but mainly French, American, British and Spanish.

Eleven-year-old Melia Haddad said she wanted to show solidarity with her Palestinian peers.

“The situation in Palestine is not fair, especially for the children. I wanted to go to the West Bank and support them. They need stationery and all support.”

An eyewitness said the crossing point from the Israeli side was closed, following the activists’ attempt to cross, and that all passengers had to go back.

The Public Security Department (PSD) issued a statement later on Sunday confirming that the activists had left the Jordanian checkpoint and then gone by bus to the Israeli side, where they were denied entry.

According to the PSD, some activists got off the bus and tried to cross into the West Bank on foot, but PSD personnel prevented them from doing so to ensure their safety.

A French activist who fainted received first aid and was sent to hospital, where he was reported to be in good condition, the statement said.

The activists returned to Amman, escorted by a convoy from the Jordanian government.

Zemor told The Jordan Times activists might spend time in Palestinian refugee camps in Jordan instead.

http://jordantimes.com/international-pro-palestine-activists-denied-entry-to-west-bank