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56 'fly-in' activists still detained, deportees complain of poor conditions, no lawyer or phone calls


From Haaretz

Israel had expelled most of the 130 pro-Palestinian activists who were denied entry into the country by Tuesday, however, 56 remained in a detention facility.

The activists landed at Ben-Gurion International Aiport near Tel Aviv on Friday, as part of a fly-in organized by a coalition of Palestinian civil groups.

Some 25 activists were flown back to Europe on Tuesday, and a Belgian national was allowed in to Israel after he agreed not to visit the West Bank, Immigration Authority spokeswoman Sabine Hadad told the German Press Agency DPA.

Of the 130, four others were allowed into Israel after questioning. The rest of the activists were put on return flights over the past few days.

Once back in Europe, many complained of poor conditions during their detention. Upon landing in Israel, they said, they were crammed into Prison Service vans for up to five hours, without access to a toilet and only receiving water bottles after asking for them.

Once they arrived at a prison near the southern city of Be’er Sheva, some 16 activists were kept for two more hours in a small cell with just one toilet, before being transferred to a more comfortable open wing.

They also alleged that for the duration of the transit, they were barred from meeting with lawyers or consuls, and were unable to make telephone calls. more

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