Israel prevented a Jewish American activist entry to the country at the weekend due to her support for a pro-Palestinian protest group.
Ms Jamie Spector (32) a social worker from San Francisco, arrived in Israel on
Saturday to protest the West Bank separation barrier Israel is constructing.
She has been held in detention since defying the order to leave, and has petitioned the Tel Aviv District Court to overturn the Interior Ministry's decision to keep herself and a Dutch activist, Ms Christina Grafer (46) out of the country.
Ms Spector was denied entry because of her affiliation with the International
Solidarity Movement, a pro-Palestinian group active in the West Bank and Gaza
Strip.
The group's members often place themselves in between Palestinians and Israeli forces to prevent the army from carrying out operations.
Tova Ellinson, spokeswoman for the Ministry of the Interior, said officials acted in accordance with a security recommendation. She refused to comment further.
Mr Huwaidi Arraf, an American-born Palestinian and founder of the ISM, said that more than 10 people from the group have been refused entry into Israel in the past month. Two other ISM activists are in the same detention centre as Ms Spector .
Israel charges that the activists defy military orders and endanger themselves
and soldiers. Many ISM members have been deported.
However, banning Ms Spector 's entry is different, her lawyer said. "This is a special case," she said. "It is very difficult for Israel to ban Jews from entering the country. It means that the courts will look differently on her."
With few exceptions, Jews are allowed automatic entry into Israel and are
offered citizenship.