German activists denied access to Israel

Israel has banned 25 German pro-Palestinian activists from entering Israel after arriving at Ben-Gurion Airport, Isral Radio said on Saturday. Pro-Palestinian activists flew in via Lufthansa German Airlines, expecting that they would be given access to Israel, according to the radio. Radio pointed out Israel previously denied entry to German activists, while 65 pro-Palestinians were intercepted at the airport by police, and four activists were held in custody yesterday. The "Air Flotilla" carrying pro-Palestinians have stopped since France and Italy started cooperating in banning flights from their airports, the radio reported. Meanwhile, Israel announced that 200 activists were barred from boarding flights in Rome and Paris, in which Paris Charles de Gaulle airport witnessed protests against the prohibition. Hundreds of Israeli policemen are deployed at the Ben-Gurion Airport awaiting the arrival of activists in commercial airlines.