Jewish American BDS activist banned from entering Israel

Jewish American BDS activist banned from entering Israel

The Israeli Population and Immigration Authority barred a Jewish American Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) activist from entering Israel on Sunday.

The Israeli Ynet news outlet reported that the ban came upon instructions by Israeli Minister of Interior Aryeh Deri and recommendation by Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Gilad Erdan.

Erdan later commented on the incident saying that "The rules have changed. Israel will not show restraint towards those who try to hurt it."

The news site added that Ariel Elyse Gold, a BDS activist, was denied entry into Israel landing at the Ben-Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv.

Gold wrote on her official Facebook page, "I am in the Tel Aviv airport getting deported. I got a visa in advance to enter the country but they are refusing to honor it and are deporting me now."

Israeli minister Erdan later posted on his Twitter saying “we prevented Ariel Gold, an extreme boycott activist, from entering the country. Our policy is clear: Those who campaign towards boycotting Israel and come here in order to cause harm—won’t be allowed to enter the country. The rules have changed, and Israel will not show restraint towards those who try to hurt it.”