Tel Aviv: Israeli occupation authorities on Monday barred European Parliament member Rima Hassan from entering Israel due to her support for the Palestinian cause.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, Israeli Interior Minister Moshe Arbel announced the decision, stating that Hassan was denied entry because of her activism in favor of Palestinians. He accused her of supporting boycott campaigns against Israel and making numerous anti-Israel statements in the media and on social networks.
A statement from the Israeli Interior Ministry revealed that Hassan was expected to arrive in Israel later today from Brussels. However, following a recommendation from the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs, the decision was made to deny her entry and send her back to her point of departure.
The move came after Likud Knesset member Boaz Bismuth called on Arbel to prevent Hassan from entering Israel.
Rima Hassan, 32, is a French lawyer of Palestinian origin, born in Syria. She was elected to the European Parliament as a representative of the left-wing "La France Insoumise" (France Unbowed) party.
