Pro-Palestinian Activists Blocked in Europe

The Associated Press reports:

Scores of pro-Palestinian activists trying to reach Tel Aviv as part of a coordinated protest were blocked at European airports, and six activists who managed to land Friday were deported as Israel moved to defuse the mass arrival envisioned by organizers.

Concerned by the growing number of confrontations with media-savvy activists and the international criticism that has often ensued, Israel took a number of measures to avoid a clash this time by preventing protesters from reaching the country altogether.

Hundreds of activists had planned to arrive at Israel's Ben-Gurion International Airport over the weekend, beginning late Thursday. Organizers insisted they were on a peaceful, weeklong mission to express solidarity with the Palestinians and draw attention to life under Israeli occupation, including travel restrictions.

Israel tightened security at Ben-Gurion International Airport ahead of the their arrival and asked foreign airlines to prevent blacklisted travelers from boarding Israel-bound flights.

By mid-afternoon Friday, the Israeli measures had been successful in preventing significant disruptions at the airport, although more arrivals were expected later in the day and Saturday.

At Israel's request, several airlines barred about 200 would-be protesters from boarding flights to Israel from Europe, police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said.