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Israeli Supreme Court Greenlights Deportation of Human Rights Monitor

Durin Hendricks

   Israel's top court on Tuesday upheld the government's decision to
   deport a high-profile human rights monitor accused of backing an
   international boycott campaign of the Jewish state.

   The court unanimously chose to uphold the Interior Ministry's refusal
   to renew the work visa of Human Rights Watch's Israel and Palestine
   Director Omar Shakir, a U.S. citizen. The court has ordered him to
   leave the country within 20 days.

   Shakir said he was targeted by the Israeli government to stymie
   criticism of its human rights record.

   Israel said Shakir supported the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions
   (BDS) movement, a pro-Palestinian initiative that aims to boycott
   Israeli businesses and goods. Support for BDS is illegal in Israel.

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