Bennett denounces Hebrew University's support of alleged BDS activist
Bennett criticized Hebrew University of Jerusalem's support of Lara Alqasem's appeal to the Israeli High Court to gain entry to the country, despite her history with BDS
By TAMAR URIEL-BEERIUpdated: OCTOBER 15, 2018 21:50US student Lara Alqasem appears at the district court in Tel Aviv, 2018(photo credit: AMIR COHEN/REUTERS)
Minister of Education Naftali Bennett said that the "Hebrew University of Jerusalem is doing itself a disservice" in supporting Lara Alqasem's appeal to the High Court to allow her entry into Israel.Alqasem was stopped at the airport approximately a week ago due to her involvement in the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement. Although she stated that her involvement with BDS is in the past and she was coming to Israel to study Human Rights at Hebrew University, she faced deportation when the Tel Aviv District Court decided against allowing her entry.The current law in Israel bans boycotters of Israel from entering the country at the discretion of the Strategic Affairs Ministry.When asked on the subject on Monday, Bennett commented on Hebrew University's involvement in the matter, as Alqasem had appealed to Israel's High Court with the Hebrew University. Bennett expressed his disapproval on the matter, as the university's acts are "a disservice" to the institution.Hagay Hacohen contributed to this report.
