The organizers of “Welcome to Palestine” campaign issued a press statement nullifying allegations of plans to take over airplanes on July 8 in Ben Gurion airports.The statement said, “The organizers of the ‘Welcome to Palestine’ initiative decry the numerous attempts by Israeli and other media to distort our message and planned activities.”
Israeli and other media sources reported in the past few days that the hundreds of Internationals planning to come to Palestine via the Ben Gurion airport are allegedly planning to take over airplanes and jam the airport, and that they are planning to go to Gaza.
“There were messages claiming that we are attempting to reach Gaza by going to Lod Airport (aka Ben Gurion airport) on July 8. Some claimed that this initiative came after the flotilla was blocked. Others claimed our visitors want to disrupt things at the airport and some even claimed they will try to take over planes,” the statement said.
These claims and many others being circulated are described as false.
The organizers urged the media outlets not to “disseminate false statements,” and stressed that internationals are invited to visit Palestine as described in the initial press statements.
There is no way to visit Palestinian areas without going through Israeli border security and getting Israeli approval, except through Rafah terminal which leads to the Gaza Strip only. Visiting the West Bank from Gaza requires Israeli approval and can be done by land only.
“… we invited internationals to visit us in Palestine and we hope and expect the Israeli authorities to allow them safe passage in compliance with International law and normal diplomatic bilateral protocols. Our visitors are coming to Palestine with a nonviolent approach to peace building and conflict resolution, with full respect of the universal declaration of human rights,” the first statement read.
Israeli media sources reported that the Israeli government is making preparations to deal with the hundreds of Internationals planning to come to Palestine stating that there is a high possibility that they will not allow them into the country.
