(26 Aug 2012) Israeli authorities refused entry on Sunday to about 100 pro-Palestinian activists trying to cross overland into the West Bank from Jordan, according to their leader.
French organiser Olivia Zemor, of the "Welcome to Palestine" campaign, said Israeli authorities asked no questions and just stamped "entry denied" into the passports without an explanation.
Zemor said that Israel is guilty of "ethnic cleansing" against the Palestinians.
"They want a state with only Jews in the state, so they want do dispel Palestinians," she said. "But the resistance will go on in Palestine and the rest of the world."
One activist said he was "very angry, very sad, disappointed. I didn't expect that from Israel. I don't understand that they don't let us visit the people in Palestine."
Earlier, Zemor told reporters in the Jordanian capital, Amman, that the group aimed to deliver one tonne of school supplies to Palestinian children in refugee camps in Bethlehem.
Israel, which controls the Allenby Bridge land crossing, has previously blocked similar protests at its airport near Tel Aviv and seaports near the Gaza Strip.
Zemor said the activists want Israel to grant freedom of movement to the Palestinians and their visitors.
Some also demand the lifting of an Israeli blockade on Gaza.
Zemor said the group, ranging in age from 10 to 80, was peaceful and unarmed.
She also said a few of the protesters tried crossing the bridge but were ordered back to Jordan.
Zemor said buses ferrying the protesters were escorted to the Jordanian capital, Amman, by Jordanian anti-riot police and other security personnel.
The group said it hopes to visit a Palestinian refugee camp near Amman.
Israel controls all access to the West Bank.
Visitors can reach the territory only through Israeli-controlled crossings, either through international airports or the land border with Jordan.
Israel bars most Palestinians from entering Israel or using its airport, citing security concerns. Palestinians must fly instead from Jordan.
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