Israeli court bars US student for boycott campaign

US student held at Israeli airport has right to appeal to higher court

By Mustafa Deveci

JERUSALEM (AA) - An Israeli court rejected a U.S. student's application to enter the country on Friday on account of her support for a boycott campaign against the state.

The court in Tel Aviv quashed Lara Alqasem's appeal for a second time since she arrived in Ben-Gurion Airport last week.

Alqasem, 22, got her visa for graduate studies in Israel but was denied entry by Israeli authorities for supporting the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement.

The BDS is a global campaign devoted to pressuring Israel -- economically and politically -- to end its ongoing violation of international law.

Israeli officials argue that Alqasem, who planned to join the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, supports the BDS and took part in campaigns boycotting Israel.

Yotam Ben-Hillel, her lawyer, said that the court decision was regrettable.

The student still holds the right to appeal in the Israeli high court of justice but it is unclear whether there will be a third appeal.

Kaynak: