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Last update - 12:33 15/06/2008 Number of people denied entry into Israel up 61 percent since 2005 By Shahar Ilan Tags: Israel, Entry to Israel Law The number of people who have been refused entry into Israel rose by 61 percent in two years, from 1,828 in 2005 to 2,941 in 2007, according to the Interior Ministry's Population Administration. The Central Bureau of Statistics, meanwhile, shows a rise in the number of entries into Israel during that period, but by a much smaller rate of only 19 percent - from 1.92 million entries to 2.29 million. The Entry to Israel Law grants the Interior Minister extensive powers to prevent foreigners from entering the country. It does not require the minister to elaborate on the reason for the refusal, but it is assumed that most people refused entry were those the authorities feared would remain here illegally either to seek work or join family members from the former Soviet Union. Advertisement It is also possible that some people were suspected of planning protests. During the second intifada, groups of human rights activists were turned away. For example, in the summer of 2002, 300 people from Italy were planning to take part in a human chain in Jerusalem, but were denied entry. The first 40 were turned away at Ben-Gurion International Airport, and the rest chose not to come. At the end of May, an American political science professor, Norman Finkelstein, was not allowed into the country, although he is Jewish and would be allowed in by the Law of Return. The Interior Ministry explained the decision by saying it had followed the instructions of the Shin Bet security service. Finkelstein, a harsh critic of Israel, had met in Lebanon with Hezbollah activists and visited the graves of members of the group. Among other examples is a Filipino woman, Daisy Baril, who last December was denied entry and held for three weeks in detention. The authorities said they were concerned that Baril would stay in Israel because she was in a romantic relationship with an Israeli man. At the end of 2005, six Turkish nationals arrived at the Haifa port hidden in a shipping container. They had intended to reach Italy, and each had paid between 1,000 and 1,500 euros to be smuggled there. Israel sent them back to Turkey. Related articles: Filipina tourist held for three weeks at airport on charges of 'romance' Israel denies entry to high-profile critic Norman Finkelstein Haaretz Editorial: Who's afraid of Finkelstein? Bookmark to del.icio.us   Nazi hunted Nazi sheltered by Austria seen enjoying Euro 2008 games. Battle of the attitude An 'Israeli au pair' seems to be the ultimate oxymoron.   1.   That means someone is doing his job 07:59  |  Gilad 15/06/08   2.   Finkelstein Would Not Be Allowed in 04:38  |  ph 17/06/08

Read & React Rice to Israel: 'Extremely important' to grant Gaza Fulbright students exit visas Responses: 177 Akiva Eldar: Our fixation on Iran leads world to see Israel as the cause of tension Responses: 176 Israeli hurt as Grad-type rockets fired from Gaza hit Ashkelon Responses: 106 Family of captive soldier: Deal with Hezbollah developing for return of troops Responses: 83 Battle of the attitude: Israeli girls vs. American Jews Responses: 94 Rosner's Domain Dovish Jewish lobby endorses seven candidates Obama, McCain aides agree: Israel, U.S. must discuss strike on Iran New Guests: What young Jewish American want World: U.S policy "will change for the better" (WTR) Poll: When should Israel have elections? More Headlines 03:52 Israeli sources: Prisoner swap with Hezbollah likely next week 01:09 UN special envoy criticizes Israel for talks with Syria 23:59 Heftziba CEO Yona, who left hundreds homeless, gets 7 years in jail under plea deal 02:06 U.S. official: W. Bank still same after Israel lifted roadblocks 21:13 Iran, fearing sanctions, said to have pulled $75b from EU banks 22:59 UN official who compared Israel to Nazis turns the spotlight on Palestinians 04:26 Receding Lake Kinneret shoreline reveals mysterious stone patterns 23:42 Bush, Musharraf, Ahmadinejad top least-trusted leaders list 02:36 Police ignored murdered lawyer's complaint that his life was in peril 22:57 Deputy Defense Min.: Residents of southern Israel should stop complaining about Qassams 04:11 B'Tselem cameras pay off for victims of settler attacks 00:37 Rice, in Beirut, voices U.S. backing for gov't that ups Hezbollah's power 21:21 Katsav lawyers slam 'public lynch' over sex crime charges 21:26 Nazi sheltered by Austria as too ill for trial, seen enjoying Euro 2008 04:49 Gov't allocates NIS 10m to Tourism Min. to woo Germans Previous Editions Select Day 16 jun 15 jun 13 jun 12 jun 11 jun 10 jun 09 jun 08 jun 06 jun 05 jun 04 jun 03 jun

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