Norman finkelstein arrested

[nico]

It has just been announced by Democracy now(amy Goodman) that norman finkelstein arrived today in tel aviv and was due to travel to the occupied territories when he was arrested and will be deported back to USA tomorrow.
He was also told that he has been banned to travel to Israel for 10 years.

[faceless]

What possible charge could they have I wonder? Still, fascist governments don't need reasons eh?

you know, I wonder if this could be taken up by religious groups - what with the return to Israel being part of their faith and all...

[Mandy]

[nico]

Thank you mandy. I couldn't have put it any better.
Israelis seem to be so desperate that they'll try anything these days.
I wouldn't be surprised if they ban Jimmy carter next.

[nico]

Norman Finkelstein deported from Israel


Controversial US academic held overnight at Ben Gurion airport for questioning, denied entry due to 'security considerations'

Eli Senyor and Adva Naftali Published: 05.24.08, 21:05 / Israel News




Israel deported Jewish-American Professor Norman Finkelstein to the United States on Friday after questioning him at Ben Gurion airport. Finkelstein was denied entry due to "security concerns," authorities said.

Finkelstein was detained immediately after landing in Israel late Thursday night and was questioned at the airport before being told he could not enter Israel.

"Finkelstein was boarded onto a plane back the United States before dawn. When he arrived we will decide whether to appeal this decision," his attorney, Michael Sfard, told Ynet. Sfard said the entry ban could last 10 years.

"A country that starts to fear what its harshest critics write about it is a country that is already behaving in a manner reminiscent of the darkest days of the communist regime," said Sfard.

Finkelstein, the son of a Holocaust survivor, has written extensively regarding Israel's policies in the territories and accuses Israel of manipulating the memory of the Holocaust and present-day anti-Semitism to justify illegitimate policies.

His work has garnered considerable admiration in some circles and scathing criticism in others.

In a much-publicized mêlée, he was denied tenure at DePaul University in 2007, reportedly over the frequent criticism lobbed at him from numerous academic and public figures, most notably Harvard's Alan Dershowitz.

The Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI) denounced Finkelstein's deportation.

"The decision to prevent someone from voicing their opinions by arresting and deporting them is typical of a totalitarian regime. A democratic state, where freedom of expression is the highest principle, does not shut out criticism or ideas just because they are uncomfortable for its authorities to hear, it confronts those ideas in public debate," said ACRI Attorney Oded Peler.

[nico]

[luke]

i'm kinda not surprised really, i keep reading on another board that lots of people, not just high people profile like finkelstein, just normal unknown people are regularly refused entry to the occupied territories

in a way you can see it as a good sign, they know they can't defeat the arguments of people like finkelstein, people are coming around and seeing the reality. there will probably be more press over his visit now ( in the mainstream ) than there would have been had his visit gone to plan - there will be people ( especially inside israel and among american jews ) who regardless of their view on it won't like the reality that certain voices are shut out and banned without any good reason