Subscribe to Print Edition | Wed., February 10, 2010 Shvat 26, 5770 | | Israel Time: 04:56 (EST+7)
Haaretz israel news English
web haaretz.com
Jewish World Haaretz Toolbar
Diplomacy
Defense Opinion National
Print Edition
Car Rental
Focus U.S.A. Strenger than Fiction Business Travel Magazine Week's End Anglo File Books Haaretz Store
Share |
Last update - 00:00 25/05/2008
Shin Bet detains, deports Jewish-American professor, Israel critic
By Yossi Melman
Tags: Israel
 

The Shin Bet security service detained and deported a Jewish-American professor who is a prominent critic of the Israeli occupation when he landed at Ben-Gurion International Airport on Friday.

Professor Norman Finkelstein was interrogated for several hours and held in an airport cell before being put on a plane back to Amsterdam, his point of departure. Finkelstein said he was told he could not return to Israel for 10 years.

The Shin Bet said Finkelstein "is not permitted to enter Israel because of suspicions involving hostile elements in Lebanon," and because he "did not give a full accounting to interrogators with regard to these suspicions."
Advertisement
However, in e-mail and phone interviews with Haaretz from the Amsterdam airport after he was deported, Finkelstein said, "I did my best to provide absolutely candid and comprehensive answers to all the questions put to me. I am confident that I have nothing to hide. Apart from my political views, and the supporting scholarship, there isn't much more to say for myself: alas, no suicide missions or secret rendezvous with terrorist organizations."

He added, "I support the two-state solution based on the '67 borders and I told my interrogators I'm not an enemy of Israel."

Finkelstein visited Lebanon a few months ago and met with Hezbollah operatives there, and subsequently published articles.

Finkelstein, 55, has accused Israel of exploiting the Holocaust for political ends. He recently left DePaul University following pressure by Jewish organizations and individuals, including Professor Alan Dershowitz.

He also said in the interview that he was "en route to Palestine to see one of my oldest and dearest friends, Musa Abu-Hashhash."

Finkelstein said he was asked whether he had met with Al Qaida operatives, whether he had been sent to Israel by Hezbollah and how he intended to finance his stay in Israel.

"I was kept in a holding cell at the airport for approximately 24 hours. It wasn't a Belgian bed-and-breakfast, but it wasn't Auschwitz either. I had several unpleasant moments with the guards at the airport and in the holding cell, but since martyrdom is not my cup of tea, I'll spare you the details," Finkelstein said.

He said he eventually used a cellphone belonging to another detainee and called another friend he was scheduled to see in Israel, the journalist Allan Nairn, who called attorney Michael Sfard. Sfard met with Finkelstein and told him he could appeal the ban; however, Finkelstein said he has been to Israel at least 15 times and declined to appeal.

Sfard yesterday said banning Finkelstein from entering the country "recalls the behavior of the Soviet bloc countries."
PROMOTION: Mamilla Hotel
Bookmark to del.icio.us  
 
Wiesel's petition
Nobel winner says he wouldn't cry if Ahmadinejad were killed , and has signed on it.
Heckling Michael Oren
Muslim students scream 'killer' during Israeli envoy's lecture at the University of California.
Special Offers
Advertisement
Eldan Rent a Car
Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on online reservations
Shalom Hartman Institute Jerusalem
This Summer in Jerusalem Learn about the "Other". Special Prices Until Feb. 15
100% Pure Dead Sea Salt
Lowest price in the U.S.A. for genuine Dead Sea Salts
Online forex trading now with
the security of a Swiss bank
Best Passover Vacations Under the Sun in Florida, Arizona, Mexico.
Resort Vacations. All the traditions of Passover. Glatt Kosher
Your Aliyah starts here.
Nefesh B'Nefesh Aliyah Workshops and Personal Meetings in your area
Camp Kimama Israel - Summer 2010
An incredible experience with Jewish youth from all over the world
More Headlines
03:25 Israel: Gaza crossing to stay shut as long as Hamas in power
03:40 Defense Minister and IDF chief at loggerheads over Ashkenazi's future
04:16 Aluf Benn / Like Netanyahu, Barak wants second shot as prime minister
21:23 Obama: Iran sanctions in weeks over nuclear program
04:55 Israeli-Palestinian peace would neutralize Iran threat
23:47 'Israel may free Palestinian prisoners when peace talks resume'
22:58 Four things Netanyahu needs for an Israeli strike on Iran
22:33 Shalit family to Red Cross: Verify Hamas claims on Gilad's health
02:31 TV ROUND-UP: West promises Iran sanctions, Violence breaks out in East Jerusalem
02:42 Israel strikes Gaza in response to Qassam rockets
03:23 Suspected Jewish terrorist admits to anti-missionary activities
22:32 6 hurt in West Bank clashes between Palestinians, settlers
20:35 Barak: Only those who risk living in Israel should vote here
22:45 Clothing store H&M to open Israel flagship on March 11
Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Site rules |
| Advert: Recommended Restaurants | Makom: Engaging on Israel
| Search engine marketing
Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.
© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved