Israel preparing to block hundreds of protesters expected at airport
JERUSALEM - Israel is vowing to prevent the entry of hundreds of pro-Palestinian activists expected to arrive in the country this weekend.
Activists are set to board flights for Israel's international airport with the aim of participating in nonviolent anti-Israel demonstrations in the West Bank. Israel views the campaign as a provocation and plans to deport the protesters.
Israel's public security minister, Yitzhak Aharonovitch, said Tuesday the "provocateurs will be dealt with in a determined and quick way."
Israel denied entry to dozens of people in the campaign's first attempt last year and very few entered the country.
Organizers say they want to draw attention to Israel's policies toward the Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank.
