European pro-palestinian activists held in Israeli jails

Some 118 pro-Palestinian activists, mostly French nationals, were being held in Israeli jails on Sunday after being refused entry into the country following their arrival at Tel Aviv's Ben-Gurion International Airport. The activists were taking part in a Welcome to Palestine "flightilla" initiative. Organized by Palestinian groups, they were invited to fly to Tel Aviv for a week of "non-violent" resistance activities against the Israeli occupation, reported the German news agency DPA. Israel had refused entry to a total of 130 activists, spokeswoman for the Israeli Interior Ministry said. Of these, a Belgian couple and six others have since flown back home. Four others, two German men and a Dutch couple, were allowed entry after agreeing to sign papers vowing not to engage in disturbances or violate local laws. The remaining 118 refused to sign such papers and were being detained until airline seats are found to fly them back home. Of those being held, around 90 are French. A further 13 are German nationals, the German Foreign Office in Berlin confirmed