Tel Aviv: Palestinian groups have criticised Israel after activists planning to visit the West Bank were barred from flying and others were deported. Israeli officials said airlines blocked some 200 blacklisted travellers from flying to Tel Aviv. The Welcome to Palestine group says the action shows restrictions on access to Palestinian areas.The so-called “flytilla” comes after Greece blocked an aid flotilla trying to break the Israeli blockade of Gaza.
Two American women originally involved in the flotilla were among the first to be deported from Ben Gurion Airport after flying in from Athens to try to join the latest protest.
A group from Switzerland was also expected to be expelled.
Airlines with flights from France, Germany and Switzerland prevented ticket-holders from boarding planes after being notified by Israel that they would be refused entry.
Many passengers turned away decried what they said was an abuse of power. Israel argues it is ensuring public order at its main gateway to the world.
Palestinian civil society organisations who make up Welcome to Palestine expected 600 to 1,000 foreign activists to take up their invitation to head to the West Bank for a week
They say they have planned a full itinerary of peaceful activities, starting with events in Bethlehem and Ramallah on Saturday for those able to make it there.
Activists were urged to inform Israeli immigration of their intention to visit only Palestinian areas on arrival at Ben Gurion airport knowing that this could see their entry blocked.
Palestinians have no airport of their own and Israel controls the borders of the occupied West Bank.
