Israel restricts human rights work in its territories
Israel expelled Human Rights Watch Director Omar Shakir from its territories, accusing him of supporting the boycott of Israel, which opened a debate about Israel’s restrictions against rights workers.
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Israel expelled Nov. 25 from its territory the Israel and Palestine director of Human Rights Watch (HRW), Omar Shakir, an American-Iraqi human rights lawyer accused of supporting the boycott of Israel.
On Nov. 5, Israel's Supreme Court gave Shakir 20 days to leave the country, under a controversial law enacted in March 2017 that allows the state to expel and deport foreigners supporting the boycott of Israel or the settlements. Shakir was the first person to be deported under this law.
“Today is the culmination of several years of efforts to muzzle HRW and human rights in general,” Shakir said at a press conference in East Jerusalem shortly before his departure.
He pointed out that he will spend the coming days briefing the various European governments on his case, and will return to the region to resume his work and functions from the Jordanian capital Amman.
