Lara Alqasem
WHAT HAPPENED
Lara Alqasem, a 22-year-old U.S. citizen from Southwest Ranches, Florida, was detained for more than two weeks at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv after arriving in Israel on October 2, 2018, to begin a master's program in human rights at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Traveling on a U.S. passport with a valid student visa issued by Israel's consulate in Miami, she was stopped by Israeli immigration authorities who accused her of supporting the boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) movement, citing her former leadership of the University of Florida chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine. Held in the airport's detention facility while she appealed a deportation order, Alqasem refused to be sent home. On October 18, Israel's Supreme Court ruled unanimously that she could not be barred and ordered her released, allowing her to enter the country. The State Department publicly affirmed the value of free expression during the standoff.
TESTIMONY
“I'm relieved at the court's decision and incredibly grateful for the work of my amazing and tireless lawyers.” — Lara Alqasem, in a statement after the Israeli Supreme Court ruling
SOURCES
DEMAND ACCOUNTABILITY FOR
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