U.S. Jew Denied Entry Into Israel [View All]

[Rose Siding]

JERUSALEM -- A Jewish American was denied entry to Israel because she belongs to a pro-Palestinian group, her lawyer said Sunday -- a rare case of a Jew banned from the Jewish state.

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, said her lawyer, Yael Berda.
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Israel charges that the activists defy military orders and endanger themselves and soldiers. Many ISM members have been deported.

However, banning Spector's entry was different, Berda said. "This is a special case," she told The Associated Press. "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.

http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/wire/sns-ap-israel-activist-barred,0,5472231.story?coll=sns-ap-nationworld-headlines