Police deploy at airport
4 fly-in activists released
More than 124 pro-Palestinian activists held in Israeli prison over weekend; four of them allowed to enter Israel following in-depth interrogations; officials to discuss expulsions with foreign airlines
Four pro-Palestinian activists who arrived in Israel in recent days as part of a protest fly-in were released from prison and allowed to enter the country, officials said Saturday evening.
Overall, 124 activists were refused entry to Israel on Thursday and Friday and spent the weekend in jail. The foreign activists did not resort to any provocations in prison, maintained orderly behavior and met with consulate officials from their respective embassies.
"Following a day of completing in-depth questioning sessions, it was decided to approve the entry into Israel of four of the passengers, two men from Germany, a Dutch man and a Dutch woman," one immigration official said.
Airport Protest
Leftists clashing with security forces in Palestinian village say joined by pro-Palestinian activists who arrived in Israel in recent days and evaded police at Ben-Gurion Airport; three protestors arrested
Upon their arrival in prison, the activists met with social workers, a doctor and a paramedic. In line with jail procedures, the foreigners also received toiletries, clothes and bed sheets.
In prison, the activists were separated to male and female wards and held in cells containing six to eight beds. They ate their meals in their cells and were also given some free time to roam in the prison's yard.
Meanwhile, immigration officials will be embarking on talks with foreign airlines – including Easy Jet, Swissair, Alitalia and Lufthansa - in order to expel activists back to their countries of origin.
Most detainees will be expelled from Israel, officials estimated, but a few activists may eventually be allowed into Israel. The Immigration Authority stressed that activists were denied entry in line with Israeli laws and after the documents of all visitors were scrutinized.
Omri Efraim contributed to the story
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