U.S. Jew Denied Entry Into Israel

[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.
...
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

[Chicago Democrat]

1. Come see the violence inherent in the system!!!

Help! Help! She's being oppressed!

[IndianaGreen]

3. Israel allowed a fugitive murderer in (Samuel Sheinbein)

I guess if an American Jew murders and butchers someone because he is gay is okay as far as Israel is concerned, but letting a Jewish peace activist in the country is verbotten.

Sheinbein debacle strains alliance
Slow movement by Israeli courts insults America

For those of you unfamiliar with the murder case, Samuel Sheinbein, 17, a resident of Montgomery County, Md., allegedly dismembered and burned the corpse of 19-year-old Alfred Tello in September. Sheibein's accomplice was arrested but Sheinbein himself fled to Israel soon after the murder. Secretary of State Madeline Albright asked Israel to do everything it could to legally return Sheinbein to the United States.

But Israeli law prevents his extradition as long as he is an Israeli citizen. After much pressure from U.S. Congressmen and prosecutors, earlier in the week Israeli officials declared that Sheinbein's citizenship is invalid, meaning he legally can be extradited to the U.S., barring an appeal. This extradition, though, could take considerable time.

The length of time it took Israel to approve Sheinbein's extradition insults the Jewish people. It took a massive wave of U.S. persuasion to finally convince Israel; and the OK only came when it appeared the Israeli-American alliance might be strained. Montgomery County prosecutors and Congressmen aggressively pushed Israel to approve the extradition. And a member of the House of Representatives even threatened to withhold financial aid to Israel if Sheinbein was not returned.

So what is wrong with Israel protecting a fellow Jew? I'll tell you. As the story unfolded, I gradually realized that permitting Sheinbein to cower in Israel blatantly ridicules the holiness of Israel, an integral aspect of Judaism. Israel was not intended to provide refuge for alleged murders, whether they have Israeli citizenship or not.

http://www.cavalierdaily.com:2001/.Archives/1997/October/24/edzach.asp

[Chicago Democrat]

4. Absolutely disgusting. Great report!

so unfair so wrong

[rooboy]

2. Bloody anti-Semites. n/t

[no_hypocrisy]

5. Real reason: not Jewish enough.