Judge Permits Petter into Israel on Conditions

Press Release

Judge Releases American Peace Activist Protesting Israel's Separation
Wall

Judge Dismisses General Security Service's "Security Threat" Claims

Tel Aviv
21 July 2004

Tel Aviv District Court Judge Oded Mudrik dismissed the state's
allegations that Ann Petter poses a security threat to Israel and
might participate in terrorist activity, allowing Petter, American
peace activist detained 28 days, entry into the state of Israel.
Petter was traveling to Israel/Palestine to document protests against
the Separation Wall that Israel is constructing in the West Bank,
which was ruled illegal by the International Court of Justice on July
9.

The Judge called the State's report "embarassing" and expressed
reservations about the basis upon which the General Security Service
recommended to bar Petter from entry. After he evaluated the secret
evidence presented by the GSS behind closed doors, Judge Mudrik
concluded that the GSS could not sustain their recommendation to deny
the defendant entry based on involvement in terrorist activity or
membership in an "extremist leftist organization."

The Judge expressed doubt as to whether clear rules and regulations
exist in the procedures of the Ministry of Interior that leaad to the
recommendations denying people entry into Israel.

Petter will be released on bail on Friday under the conditions that
she not enter the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Petter
participated in a peace march last year organized by the
International Solidarity Movement (ISM), which is a Palestinian-led
movement working for Palestinian freedom and an end to the Israeli
occupation.

Jamie Spector, a Jewish-American peace activist also denied entry into
Israel, appeared in court this morning and the Judge will render a
decision on Friday at 11:30 am at the Tel Aviv District Court.

Contact:

Nirit at + 972 54 792 3082
Ady at + 972 54 643 1972

Attorneys:

Yael Berda + 972 50 874 3083
Shamai Leibovitz + 972 64 414 505