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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." Bookmark to del.icio.us   Jet error Israeli warplanes come close to shooting down Tony Blair's plane. Rehab (live) Report: Singer Amy Winehouse is to undergo drug rehab in Israel.

Read & React Israel denies entry to high-profile critic Norman Finkelstein Responses: 435 Sources: 'Olmert's indictment is just a matter of time' Responses: 45 Shmuel Rosner: Pastor Hagee was trying to stop 'second Holocaust' Responses: 107 Iranian-born Israeli charged with passing information to Tehran Responses: 65 More Headlines 20:56 Shin Bet: Hamas rockets could hit far beyond Ashkelon 18:04 Fearing Gaza rockets, IDF moves troops, civilian staff from Erez 19:49 New Lebanese President calls for renewal of ties with Syria 18:30 Iranian-born Israeli charged with passing information to Tehran 21:41 Sarkozy to FM: Hamas talks were mistake that won't happen again 20:28 Iranian defense minister hails 'strategic ties' with Syria 21:59 Netanyahu, on Syria talks: Peace with dictatorial state won't last 20:30 Black-Jewish tensions heat up as Crown Heights teeters on brink of violence 20:10 Police question Talansky, pass on evidence to Olmert's attorneys 20:17 Palestinians reject Israeli offer to keep 8.5 percent of West Bank 16:55 'Shampoo' meets 'Munich': New Adam Sandler film stars Mossad hit man turned hairdresser 18:32 Water Authority mulls drastic cuts due to low reservoir levels 17:53 Report: Avram Grant favorite for manager at Manchester City 20:40 Israeli businessman's London home up for sale for $232 million Previous Editions Select Day 25 may 23 may 22 may 21 may 20 may 19 may 18 may 16 may 15 may 14 may 13 may 12 may

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