Daniel Kutner’s tweet.
The Diplomat. 26/07/2018
Israel’s Ambassador to Spain, Daniel Kutner, yesterday defended the decision of his Government to deny the entry to Israel to the Spanish aid worker Ana Sánchez, arguing that each country has the right to defend itself against those who try to criminalize it.
In his Twitter account, and without specifically mentioning Ana Sánchez, the Ambassador states: «Each country has the sovereign right to deny entry to its territory to people who act to delegitimize and criminalize it. Israel is an open democracy and welcomes visitors of all kinds but must defend itself from those who actively work to destroy it».
Israel banned Ana Sánchez from entering the country on Tuesday when she arrived at Ben Gurion airport as part of a delegation of Spanish public officials to visit Palestine, including the Deputy Mayor of Barcelona, Jaume Asens; the deputies of Madrid’s regional parliament Isa Serra and Elena Sevillano; the deputy of Catalonia’s Parliament, Susanna Segovia; or the Councilor of the City Council of Valencia, Neus Fábregas.
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Ana Sánchez was rejected for belonging to the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement
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The Israeli authorities accuse the Spanish aid worker of belonging to the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS Movement) against Israel (BDS), as the Ministry of Strategic Affairs reported.
«Ana Sánchez Mesa is a senior member of the BDS National Committee in Spain and the director of the organization’s international campaigns», said ministerial spokesman Ben Moore, and was banned from Israel «following a recommendation from the Minister of Strategic Affairs and Public Diplomacy, Guilad Erdán», which had previously been accepted by Interior Minister Aryeh Deri, who said that she is a high-level activist of a prominent boycott organization that seeks to harm Israel».
According to local law, Israel authorities may not issue visas or residence permits to foreigners involved in boycott actions, although there is a possibility that the Israeli Ministry of the Interior will review each situation and authorize access in some cases.
