PRO-PALESTINIAN ACTIVISTS DISMISS ISRAEL WARNING

Organisers of a planned pro-Palestinian demonstration say they expect about 1,000 activists from Europe and North America to board flights for Israel this weekend, despite Israeli warnings to deport them. Israel says the activists are provocateurs bent on disturbing public order. Organiser Mazin Qumsiyeh on Apr 13 said the activists will come for a “week of peaceful activities” in solidarity with the Palestinians in the West Bank.

Israel has sent European airlines lists of names barred from entry. In a similar attempt last year, many airlines banned activists from boarding their flights. Lee Mi-Kyung, a spokeswoman of German airline Lufthansa, says it will prevent passengers on the list from getting on board its flights to Israel.