Tel Aviv: Israel is waging a concerted campaign against foreign activists in the West Bank, utilizing tactics such as arrests, passport seizures, and deportations, according to an investigative report by the Israeli daily Haaretz published today.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency – WAFA, the report claims that at least 16 foreign activists have been deported from the West Bank since October 2023, following their arrest by Israeli authorities. The deportations are part of an ongoing effort by the Israeli government to limit the presence of international activists in Palestinian territories, particularly in areas where they engage in activities aimed at protecting Palestinian farmers from settler violence.
Haaretz notes that while the rise in deportations is not unexpected given the political makeup of Israel’s current government, led by far-right figures such as National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, the scale and coordination of the effort are alarming. The report highlights that the d
eportation campaign is not incidental but the result of a clearly defined policy spearheaded by Ben-Gvir, who works closely with the Israeli army, police, and the Population and Immigration Authority.
In recent months, Ben-Gvir has ordered the police unit responsible for investigating serious crimes in the West Bank to focus specifically on foreign activists. At the same time, the Israeli Knesset’s parliamentary committee on health and safety, headed by Ben-Gvir ally Tzvi Sukkot, has been exerting pressure on security agencies, with an increasing number of investigations into activists’ activities.
A leaked document obtained by Haaretz reveals that the Israeli army is actively working to implement this policy. The document, a message from Major General Avi Blut of the Central Command, explicitly states that foreign nationals who travel to olive harvest sites to support Palestinian farmers will be blocked from entry to avoid any potential confrontations with Israeli settlers.
Foreign activists often accompa
ny Palestinian farmers during the olive harvest to provide protection from settler attacks, which are common during this period of the year. The Israeli military and settler groups frequently clash with these activists, who are seen as a significant presence in efforts to draw attention to Israel’s policies in the West Bank.
According to Haaretz, since the beginning of 2024, Israeli authorities have interrogated 30 foreign activists. Most of those investigated have been accused of minor offenses, such as clashing with Israeli soldiers or police officers while performing their duties or violating orders related to military zone closures. However, some have faced more serious charges, including supporting terrorist organizations or inciting violence.
In many cases, activists have been interrogated on suspicion of criminal activity and deported after hearings with the Population and Immigration Authority, who argued that the activists had violated the terms of their visas. Activists are also accused of attempt
ing to interfere with Israeli security forces in the West Bank, particularly during confrontations at olive harvest sites.
The foreign nationals involved in the activities come from a variety of countries, including the United States, Belgium, and the United Kingdom. The number of foreign activists in the West Bank tends to increase during the olive harvest season in October and November, when tensions typically rise in agricultural areas. The Haaretz report emphasizes the growing pressure on foreign activists in the region, with Israeli authorities tightening their grip on both local and international groups involved in protest and humanitarian work in the occupied territories.