Arrested Irish American appeals Israeli targeting of international activists
An Israeli judge Tuesday agreed to hear ISM activist Pat O'Connor's appeal of his deportation from Israel and the
Occupied Palestinian Territories. O'Connor is awaiting his trial in Maasiyahu prison in Ramle where he has been held
since his arrest on January 24.
O'Connor was arrested by Israeli security agents after planting olive seedlings in the village of Biddu with
Palestinian, Israeli and international activists. During the arrest, the security agents claimed he was carrying a false
Irish passport however the Irish embassy has confirmed the validity of O'Connor's passport.
Israeli attorney Gaby Lasky states in the deportation appeal that "Israel conveniently turns humanitarian activists into
security threats with the cynical use of 'security considerations'." She is demanding that Israel declassify the
Kafkaesque blacklist on which many human rights activists find themselves placed.
Because no criteria have been published determining who should be denied entry, Israeli authorities use the tactic to
deny entry to a substantial number of foreign humanitarian aid workers and dedicated human rights activists who pose no
threat to Israel or its security. There are over one hundred documented cases. The tactic of using a catch-all phrase
like "security concerns" as grounds to deny entry to anyone who the Ministry of Interior disagrees with or dislikes
creates an opportunity for political discrimination. Mr. O'Connor is a victim of such circumstances.
The Palestinian Authority has issued a letter acknowledging Mr. O'Connor's human rights work and inviting O'Connor to
remain in the Occupied Palestine Territories. However, Israel does not acknowledge the Palestinian Authority's right to
invite internationals into its own territory. This is a clear violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention.
Pat O'Connor has been supporting nonviolent protests as a volunteer with the ISM since October 2002. Although he was
never arrested, he was denied entry to Israel in March 2003. The denial of entry was upheld in Israeli court based on
"secret evidence" that neither Pat nor his attorney was allowed to see or challenge. Mr. O'Connor is adamant when he
says "the secret evidence will not stand up to scrutiny because I did nothing wrong. Israeli authorities are using
illegitimate means to stop legitimate protests for Palestinian rights. I have a moral duty to reject these illegitimate
measures and support international law." O'Connor has since changed his name legally and was allowed by Israeli
authorities to return twice in 2004 to Israel and the OPT on valid US and Irish passports.
Palestinians are guaranteed rights under international law and they aspire to be free from Israeli occupation. According
to Mr. O'Connor, "It's the responsibility of the international community to support international law and human rights,
and since our governments are failing to do that, then citizens have to take that responsibility upon themselves."