Noam Chomsky Denied Entry into Israel

Israel is supposed to be one of our partners in democracy, a bastion of freedom in the Middle East.  Yet when it comes to allowing the free speech of one of its critics, Israel can be repressive:

Professor Noam Chomsky, an American linguist and left-wing activist, was denied entry into Israel on Sunday, for reasons that were not immediately clear.

Chomsky, who was scheduled to deliver a lecture at Bir Zeit University near Jerusalem, told the Right to Enter activist group by telephone that inspectors had stamped the words "denied entry" onto his passport when he tried to cross from Jordan over Allenby Bridge.

When he asked an Israeli inspector why he had not received permission, he was told that an explanation would be sent in writing to the American embassy. (link)

He was held for questioning for three hours as well:

Chomsky arrived at the Allenby Bridge at around 1:30 in the afternoon and was taken for questioning, before being released back to Amman at 4:30 P.M.

While we are still awaiting “official” word for the denial of entry into Israel, Chomsky was told the reason by one of his interrogators:

In a telephone interview with Channel 10, Chomsky said the interrogators had told him he had written things that the Israeli government did not like.

As usual Chomsky was able to put the matter into its proper perspective:

"I suggested [the interrogator try to] find any government in the world that likes anything I say," he said.