Israel Supreme Court Allows American Student to Study At Hebrew University

Israel’s Supreme Court ruled on Oct. 18 that American student Lara Alqasem, 22, should be allowed into Israel and study at Hebrew University. 

Alqasem had been detained at Ben-Gurion Airport for two weeks because the Israeli government believes that she is a supporter of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement due to her past membership in University of Florida’s Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) chapter.

The court, however, concluded that there was no evidence that Alqasem had been involved in BDS activity since April 2017 and that her desire to study in Israel is anathema to the BDS movement.

“The inevitable impression is that invalidating the visa given to her was due to the political opinions she holds,” the ruling states. “If this is truly the case, then we are talking about an extreme and dangerous step, which could lead to the crumbling of the pillars upon which democracy in Israel stands.”

However, the court warned that Alqasem could be expelled if she reverted back to BDS activism.

Alqasem told Haaretz in a statement, “I’m relieved at the court’s decision and incredibly grateful for the work of my amazing and tireless lawyers Yotam Ben Hillel and Leora Bechor as well as the support of my family and friends. I will be happy to say more when I’ve had a chance to rest and process.”

Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Gilad Erdan called the court’s ruling a “big victory for BDS”:

“The court minimized the extremist and anti-Semitic nature of SJP, the organization of which Alqasem served as president,” Erdan charged in his statement. “Furthermore, the justices essentially ignored the fact that she erased her social media networks to hide her activities before arriving in Israel.

“Their ruling opens the door for BDS activists to enter the country simply by enrolling in an academic program and declaring that they do not support boycotts at the present moment,” warned Erdan, who is also public security minister.

Erdan indicated that he would support legislation that prevents BDS activists from taking advantage of the court’s ruling.