Will Amnesty International be expelled from Israel?
Minister of Internal Security and Strategic Affairs Gilad Erdan has instructed his ministry to "examine the possibility of preventing the entry and stay of Amnesty International in Israel."
By SARA RUBENSTEINUpdated: JANUARY 30, 2019 10:05Activists of Amnesty International demonstrate to show their support with the Syrian people at the Fontaine des Innocentes in Paris May 29, 2012.(photo credit: REUTERS)In the wake of Amnesty International's report that called on tourist companies such as Airbnb to boycott not only West Bank settlements but Jewish listings and sites in east Jerusalem, Israeli ministers are considering banning the organization from entering Israel.Minister of Internal Security and Strategic Affairs Gilad Erdan has instructed his ministry to "examine the possibility of preventing the entry and stay of Amnesty International in Israel."Erdan said, "The hypocritical Amnesty organization speaks in the name of human rights, and in effect promotes boycotts against Israeli citizens as part of the antisemitic boycott and delegitimization campaign." He said that he turned to the finance minister to stop tax benefits for the organization."I can not harm the citizens of Israel who live in Judea, Samaria, the Golan Heights and Jerusalem," Erdan said. "I'll continue to work with Israel's friends around the world in order to thwart the intentions of the boycott organizations."Added Tourism Minister Yariv Levin: "No force in the world will change the simple historical truth - the Land of Israel belongs to the Jewish people. We will fight this despicable antisemitic decision. No one can boycott Israel or parts of it."
