As many as 1,500 pro-Palestinian protestors had planned to fly to Israel for the "Welcome to Palestine" campaign, which has been called the "Flytilla" by media. Israeli authorities were actively monitoring the situation, and many airlines complied with their requests to deny boarding to protestors. Police officers patrolled Ben Gurion International Airport, but there were few disturbances.
Organisers had hoped the Palestinian campaign would expose Israel's control of movement across the borders of the West Bank, but of the 130 protestors who arrived at Ben Gurion, 4 were allowed entry after signing a document stating they would not participate in demonstrations. The rest are being held as the Israeli government arranges return flights for them. Organisers reported that as many as 100 protestors made it through the airport.
Many airlines, including Air France and Lufthansa, canceled flights as requested by Israel. They were criticised for favouring Israel, but a representative for Lufthansa explained that it was bound to comply with the immigration laws and administrative decrees of the countries it flies to.
Organisers had hoped the Palestinian campaign would expose Israel's control of movement across the borders of the West Bank, but of the 130 protestors who arrived at Ben Gurion, 4 were allowed entry after signing a document stating they would not participate in demonstrations. The rest are being held as the Israeli government arranges return flights for them. Organisers reported that as many as 100 protestors made it through the airport.
Many airlines, including Air France and Lufthansa, canceled flights as requested by Israel. They were criticised for favouring Israel, but a representative for Lufthansa explained that it was bound to comply with the immigration laws and administrative decrees of the countries it flies to.
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