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An Israeli court on Friday dismissed the appeal of an American student who was banned from entering Israel because of his alleged involvement in a Palestinian-led boycott movement against the Jewish state. said his lawyer.
Lara Alqasem has until Sunday to decide whether to appeal her case to the Israeli Supreme Court or to leave the country, said her lawyer, Yotam Ben-Hillel. In the meantime, she will remain in detention.
Alqasem, 22, arrived in Israel on October 2 on a valid student visa to pursue graduate studies at the Hebrew University of Israel. But she was arrested at the airport and prevented from entering the country because of her alleged involvement in the BDS movement, which calls for a boycott, divestment and sanctions against Israel. She has been detained at the airport ever since, although Israel claims that she is free to return to the United States at any time.
Alqasem, of Southwest Ranches, Florida, claimed that she was no longer involved in the movement. But Israel's Ministry of Strategic Affairs, which leads the country's efforts against the BDS, is not convinced and has demanded that it apologize and pledges not to resume its past activities.
Strategic Affairs Minister Gilad Erdan welcomed Friday's decision.
"The court clearly stated that a state has the right to protect itself not only in terms of security, but also to fight the boycott against its products, culture or reputation," he said in a statement. a statement. "I will continue to fight with all that is available against those who try to harm Israel and its citizens."
Alqasem, whose father is Palestinian, is a former president of Florida's chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine. The group is a branch of the BDS movement.
BDS proponents said that by urging companies, artists and universities to sever ties with Israel, they used non-violent means to resist unfair policies against Palestinians. Israel says the movement is hiding its motives for delegitimizing or destroying the Jewish state.
Last year, Israel enacted a law banning the entry into the territory of any foreigner who "knowingly made a public call to boycott Israel". However, he was strongly criticized for his treatment of the Alqasem case.
Teachers at the University of Florida described her as a curious and open-minded student, while the Hebrew University, where she hopes to obtain a master's degree in human rights, also supported her call.
(AP)
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