Israel not the only country to ban troublemakers

Allan Wolman, Israel

Israel’s prohibition of groups like the Boycott, Divest, Sanctions campaign – which doesn’t call for a regime change but the demise of the Jewish state – has justification. Perhaps those critics of Netanyahu need to ask what country in the world would allow anyone hell-bent on its destruction to enter that country? Is Israel the only country in the world to ban those with a nefarious agenda from entering with the sole purpose of stirring trouble? This intention has been made abundantly clear by these two women. Other countries have banned visitors for far less than wanting to cause trouble.

The South African government, which boasts the most advanced constitution in the world, has banned not once but three times a visit from none other than the Dalai Lama, one of the leading lights for peace in the world today. The sole purpose of his visit was to celebrate the birthday of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, attend a gathering of Nobel laureates, and meet the “elders”. Then there was Britain’s banning of Dutch MP Geert Wilders for his right-wing leanings. What about Muhammed Fethullah Gülen, the Turkish Islamic scholar banned from entering Turkey? Of course, no one would highlight the Morrison government’s ban of right-wing provocateur Milo Yiannopoulos from entering Australia. One can cite hundreds of similar instances of countries which have banned individuals from entering.

However, did any of these “bannings” make the front page of the New York Times? Perhaps the Dalai Lama story made page seven, but if it’s Israel, stop the press! It’s the epitome of double standards.