From the Open-Publishing Calendar
From the Open-Publishing Newswire
Indybay Feature
Israel uses Facebook to blacklist pro-Palestinian protesters
by Emil Protalinski
July 10, 2011
ZD Net
July 10, 2011
ZD Net
Israel used Facebook to compile a pro-Palestinian blacklist of hundreds of names. On Friday, the country’s government then asked foreign airlines to keep those on the list off flights to Israel, prevented many activists from boarding Tel Aviv-bound flights in Europe, questioned dozens more upon arrival at its main airport, and denied entry to select individuals.
Yigal Palmor, a spokesman for Israel’s Foreign Ministry, said the list comprised of individuals identified as planning to create “provocations” upon arrival. “These people announced on their Internet sites that they planned to come here and cause disruptions, and told their friends. We were able to contact other foreign ministries and simply give them links.” Barring entrance in such cases is “accepted practice in any country,” he added.
Some 200 people were prevented from boarding their flights at European airports, according to Israeli police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld. “The companies did not allow them on the airplanes because we told them clearly they wouldn’t be able to enter Israel,” said Rosenfeld.
310 of the activists who managed to land in Tel Aviv were detained for questioning, Interior Ministry spokeswoman Sabine Hadad told the Associated Press. Of those, 69 were denied entry: four were immediately put on return flights and 65 were held until flights home could be arranged for them. The rest were permitted entry, she said.
MORE
Yigal Palmor, a spokesman for Israel’s Foreign Ministry, said the list comprised of individuals identified as planning to create “provocations” upon arrival. “These people announced on their Internet sites that they planned to come here and cause disruptions, and told their friends. We were able to contact other foreign ministries and simply give them links.” Barring entrance in such cases is “accepted practice in any country,” he added.
Some 200 people were prevented from boarding their flights at European airports, according to Israeli police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld. “The companies did not allow them on the airplanes because we told them clearly they wouldn’t be able to enter Israel,” said Rosenfeld.
310 of the activists who managed to land in Tel Aviv were detained for questioning, Interior Ministry spokeswoman Sabine Hadad told the Associated Press. Of those, 69 were denied entry: four were immediately put on return flights and 65 were held until flights home could be arranged for them. The rest were permitted entry, she said.
MORE
Add Your Comments
Comments
(Hide Comments)
Israel uses Facebook?
Didn't you mean that these people had announced their intentions on Facebook. And as a result Israel could simply point this out to the countries of these people.
Look at what YOU said ......... "These people announced on their Internet sites that they planned to come here and cause disruptions, and told their friends. We were able to contact other foreign ministries and simply give them links....."
Activists, take note. If you are planning something KEEP YOUR MOUTHS SHUT.
Didn't you mean that these people had announced their intentions on Facebook. And as a result Israel could simply point this out to the countries of these people.
Look at what YOU said ......... "These people announced on their Internet sites that they planned to come here and cause disruptions, and told their friends. We were able to contact other foreign ministries and simply give them links....."
Activists, take note. If you are planning something KEEP YOUR MOUTHS SHUT.
The whole point of the "Welcome to Palestine" campaign is to be open and assert one's intention to travel to the West Bank and to honestly declare support for Palestinian human rights, which is enough to get you on Israel's black list. Israel loves to call itself a democracy, but it denies equal rights to millions of people under its control, screens visitors for political viewpoints, and uses the might of its military and security apparatus to hunt down information on anyone who might sympathize with the plight of the Palestinian people.
That Israel uses facebook to screen for "enemies" is just creepy, and people should be aware of it.
That Israel uses facebook to screen for "enemies" is just creepy, and people should be aware of it.
We are 100% volunteer and depend on your participation to sustain our efforts!
Get Involved
If you'd like to help with maintaining or developing the website, contact us.
Publish
Publish your stories and upcoming events on Indybay.
Topics
More
Search Indybay's Archives
Advanced Search
►
▼
IMC Network