MKs denied permission to visit Florida student accused of BDS activity

The Meretz members arrived on Sunday for a 'surprise' visit to the detention facility at Ben Gurion Airport, where the 22-year-old has been held for over five days now.

By ZACHARY KEYSER
Meretz Mks awaiting entry into Ben Gurion Airport prison facility (photo credit: MERETZ)
Meretz Mks awaiting entry into Ben Gurion Airport prison facility
(photo credit: MERETZ)
Meretz Members of Knesset Tamar Zandberg, Issawi Farig and Musi Raz were not allowed to visit Lara Alqasem, the Florida university student who has been detained by the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) at Ben-Gurion Airport for alleged Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions activity since arriving in Israel on Tuesday.
The student is being detained until the court sorts out her status with the Strategic Affairs Ministry, having opposed her entry into the country and the Tel Aviv Magistrate’s Court ratifying that decision.
Attorney Yotam Ben-Hallel has already filed an appeal to the Tel Aviv District Court, no hearing date has been set.
The Meretz members arrived on Sunday for a 'surprise' visit to the detention facility at Ben Gurion Airport, where the 22-year-old has been held for over five days now.
After a two-hour delay and the attempted intervention of the Knesset's legal advisor, Minister Deri announced that he would approve the MKs entry on the condition they send a written request.
However, despite having sent the request, the MKs were denied entry to the prison facility.
Yonah Jeremy Bob contributed to this report.