Israel court refuses to delay expulsion of HRW official

Omar Shakir, Regional Director of Human Rights Watch (HRW) [Twitter]

An Israeli court yesterday rejected a request by Human Rights Watch (HRW) for its country Director Omar Shakir to remain in Israel until an appeal against his expulsion is heard.

On 8 May, Israel’s Interior Ministry announced that it had revoked Shakir’s permit and ordered he leave the country within 14 days for his alleged support for a boycott of Israel.

Shakir rejected the allegation and claimed Israel was seeking to silence dissent.

Responding to the court decision yesterday, Shakir said: “The judge rejected our request for an interim order that would allow me to stay in the country so the case could be heard,” adding that “the judge gave me until May 24 to leave.”

Shakir said that HRW intends to appeal to the Supreme Court.

Read: Amnesty slams Israel’s expulsion of HRW official

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