Pro-Palestinian activists make new bid to enter West Bank

ALLENBY BRIDGE CROSSING, Jordan: Pro-Palestinian US and European activists arrived yesterday at this Israeli-controlled crossing to try to enter the West Bank to deliver school supplies to students.
As part of “Welcome to Palestine” campaign, aimed at highlighting Israel’s control over entry to the occupied territories, the activists sought to provide Palestinian students with a ton of toys, pens, notebooks and other supplies.
“This is our fourth initiative to enter Palestine,” Olivia Zemor, spokesperson for the group, said before leaving for the crossing, also known as King Hussein Bridge, 35 km southeast of Amman.
Five school buses drove the activists to the crossing as they chanted “Free Palestine!” and sang Palestinian traditional songs. Some wore T-shirts with “I have a dream” printed on them.
The campaigners tried to enter the occupied West Bank through Israel in July 2011 and April 2012, but the authorities at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion airport denied them entry.
The activists, who plan to stay a week in the West Bank, say their mission comes after an invitation by Bethlehem Gov. Abdel-Fatah Hamayel.
“Now there is a siege on Gaza, there is also one on the West Bank and East Jerusalem, and it is worse than the situation of prisoners, because prisoners have rights,” Zemor said.
Some activists were skeptical they would be allowed in.
“I tried in July and April last year, but the Israelis put me in prison for one day. I expect they will reject us again just like they did before. It is ridiculous and a shame,” American volunteer Michael Rabb told AFP.
“It is propaganda to say we are free. It is silly that they do not let humanitarian staff enter. This demonstrates how silly and ridiculous Israel is to the eyes of the world.”
Melia Haddad, an 11-year-old French-Algerian, came with her mother and older sister.
“I hope this time they let us enter Palestine because we are not criminals, we are not terrorists. We are just human beings and we have stuff to give to the children, and that is all,” she told AFP.