Trump Admin. blocks Entry to US of Palestinian leader of Israel Boycott

The United States administration denied entry to Omar Barghouti, a Palestinian human rights defender and a co-founder of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) Movement, this week allegedly due to his political activities. The Arab American Institute (AII) said that Barghouti was barred from boarding a flight, on Wednesday, from Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport to New York for a speaking tour and his daughter’s wedding, despite having the required Israel-issued travel documents and a valid visa. Regarding the denial of entry, Barghouti said, “This US entry ban against me, which is ideologically and politically motivated, is part of Israel’s escalating repression against Palestinian, Israeli and international human rights defenders in the BDS movement for freedom, justice and equality.”