Israel border guards instructed to deny entry to BDS activists

Palestine

Published: 2017-07-06 12:32

Last Updated: 2024-03-28 12:39


Palestinian residents of Sussiya demonstrate against court ruling allowing the demolition of the village located in the southeast of Hebron on June 22
Palestinian residents of Sussiya demonstrate against court ruling allowing the demolition of the village located in the southeast of Hebron on June 22

Israeli border guards were issued a directive in June that border guards should block entry to Israel of visitors with ties to the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel, Haaretz reports.

The regulation, entitled “Handling entries at Israel’s international border crossings,” lists 28 reasons for refusing someone entry to Israel, along with the recent addition of “BDS activity,” which is specifically listed.

The regulation comes in the wake of a law passed in March that forbids the issuance of a visa or other entry permit to foreign citizens who have called for a boycott of Israel or the settlements.

Other reasons the regulation gives for refusing entry include risk of security or criminal activity; lies told at the border; suspected intent to remain in Israel illegally; lack of cooperation with border officials; an inappropriate visa; entry with the intent to work illegally; disrupting public order; impersonation; violent behavior; suspected intent to carry out missionary activity and past refusal of entry or illegal presence.

The regulation clearly states that this not a definitive list and border guards are permitted to refuse entry for other reasons as well.

Last September, the United Nations Human Rights Council called for international action to curb an "Israeli campaign to evict international workers".

The UN's Access Coordination Unit website logs these incidents, and notes a clear rise in the number of forced cancellations of trips and deportations or denials of entry, to both Gaza and the West Bank.

The Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement is a coalition of organizations inspired by the anti-apartheid movement, working to end international support for the Israeli occupation and pressure Israel to comply with international law.