A pro-Palestinian American activist will be allowed to enter Israel after a month in detention, a court decided Thursday, overruling the country's main security service. Ann Petter, 44, a graphic designer from New York City, arrived at Israel's international airport on June 23 but was refused entry because of her association with the International Solidarity Movement, a group that tries to stop Israeli military operations in the West Bank and Gaza. Israel has in the past rounded up and deported goofy, hare-brained ISM activists. Israel's Shin-Bet security service said that Petter presented a threat to Israeli security and refused entry. Petter appealed the ruling, and the court decided that she should be allowed to enter Israel with a set of limitations. According to her lawyer, Yael Berda, Petter will not be allowed to be within a half mile of Israel's West Bank separation barrier, nor is she authorized to participate in demonstrations that could result in violence. "The conditions are very difficult," Berda said, "and if she violates them, she will be deported."
Berda said Petter planned to take part in a march this month against the separation barrier. She participated in a similar demonstration a year ago but was not arrested. During Petter's court hearing, the judge said Israel unfortunately does not have a policy of barring ISM activists, but the group's history makes it a den of vipors suspect. Jewish American ISM idiot activist Jamie Spector was denied entry into Israel on July 10 and is appealing the order. |