The Israeli Authorities banned an American- Jewish Peace Activist, who is a member of the International Solidarity Movement, from entering Israel Saturday.
The Israeli Authorities at the Ben-Gurion airport said that Jaime Spector, 32 years old, was banned from entering Israel after receiving direct order from the Israeli security “Shabak”, banning her from entering Israel.
Yael Barda, the lawyer defending Spector, said that she a social worker, and one of the International activists, who protests against the Separation Wall, and an activist of the International Solidarity Movement.
Barda added that Spector refused to leave Israel upon her arrival and was detained by the Israeli Authorities.
Spector said in a statement released by her lawyer that she is committed to her struggle against the separation Wall.
Huwaida Arraf, American-Palestinian co-founder of the ISM said that the Israeli authorities has banned ten peace activists from entering Israel in the past month and that two other activist are currently in detention.
The latest was Anne Robinson-Peter, a New York Artist who came to join the Freedom Summer Campaign which ISM launched two weeks ago.
Robinson-Peter was detained for two weeks before an Israeli court ruled that she is not allowed into Israel claiming that she forms a threat on Israel’s security.
The prosecution sought to submit secret evidence on behalf of the State of Israel detailing Robinson-Peter’s participation in activities that allegedly prove her affiliation with terrorist organizations. The defense objected to the submission of such evidence based on the fact that it could not be reviewed by the defendant or her attorneys.
In her personal statement to the court, Robinson-Peter stated: “I hope you will reconsider the decision to not allow me into the country. I believe it is important for me to be here because of the close relationship between Israel and America. I am a member of many peace organizations in the United States. I believe the International Solidarity Movement prevents violence and perpetuates non-violence along the principles of Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King. ISM volunteers also serve as witnesses with their eyes and cameras. I think it is an important role for civilians to play.”
The ISM is a Palestinian-led nonviolent initiative that is opposing the Israeli occupation in Palestine.
ISM has been targeted by the Israeli security forces. Several activists have been shot, beaten, arrested and deported. Two were killed by the Israeli army. American Rachel Corrie and British Tom Hurndall were both killed in Rafah, in the year 2003.
