This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/8458566.stm

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
US editor refused entry to Israel US editor refused entry to Israel
(39 minutes later)
A US citizen working as an editor for a Palestinian news agency is appealing against Israel's refusal to allow him into the West Bank. A US citizen working as an editor for a the Palestinian news agency Maan is appealing against Israel's refusal to allow him entry at Tel Aviv airport.
Jared Malsin has been detained since he returned from a holiday in Prague on Tuesday evening, his colleagues said.Jared Malsin has been detained since he returned from a holiday in Prague on Tuesday evening, his colleagues said.
Israeli security officials said security concerns had arisen when he was questioned and the Interior Ministry had refused him entry.Israeli security officials said security concerns had arisen when he was questioned and the Interior Ministry had refused him entry.
A Tel Aviv court was due to hear his appeal on Thursday. Maan said a court hearing due on Thursday has been postponed to Sunday.
Maan News agency said the decision could "only be explained as a retaliatory measure for his reporting on Palestine". Mr Malsin is the English language editor for the news agency. It said the decision could "only be explained as a retaliatory measure for his reporting on Palestine".
Mr Malsin is the English language editor for the news agency.
But Israeli government spokesman Mark Regev denied that the decision to expel Mr Malsin was related to his work.But Israeli government spokesman Mark Regev denied that the decision to expel Mr Malsin was related to his work.
"Allegations that this is directed against journalism are simply absurd," he said."Allegations that this is directed against journalism are simply absurd," he said.
The Interior Ministry was unavailable for comment.The Interior Ministry was unavailable for comment.
The Committee to Protect Journalists, based in New York, called the decision "unacceptable".The Committee to Protect Journalists, based in New York, called the decision "unacceptable".
"Israel cannot hide behind the pretext of security to sideline journalists who have done nothing more than maintain an editorial line that the authorities dislike," said Mohamed Abdel Dayem, the New York based organisation's co-ordinator for the Middle East and North Africa."Israel cannot hide behind the pretext of security to sideline journalists who have done nothing more than maintain an editorial line that the authorities dislike," said Mohamed Abdel Dayem, the New York based organisation's co-ordinator for the Middle East and North Africa.
Mr Malsin and his partner, Faith Rowold, both in their twenties, were detained and interrogated for eight hours on trying to re-enter Israel after a holiday in Prague, Maan said.Mr Malsin and his partner, Faith Rowold, both in their twenties, were detained and interrogated for eight hours on trying to re-enter Israel after a holiday in Prague, Maan said.
They were then told they would be expelled at 0600 on Thursday morning, but were later granted a court hearing and the expulsion delayed. It said that Ms Rowold was expelled early on Thursday morning, while Mr Malsin was granted a court hearing and allowed to stay until a verdict was reached.
A court hearing scheduled for Thursday has been postponed until Sunday, Maan said.
George Hale, one of Mr Malsin's colleagues at Maan, said they had both been in the region for two years, Mr Malsin working for Maan and Ms Rowold volunteering for the Lutheran Church in Jerusalem.George Hale, one of Mr Malsin's colleagues at Maan, said they had both been in the region for two years, Mr Malsin working for Maan and Ms Rowold volunteering for the Lutheran Church in Jerusalem.
Maan claimed to have seen "interrogation transcripts" showing Mr Malsin's detention was linked to his work as a journalist. Maan claimed to have seen "interrogation transcripts" - which it later said were court documents supplied to its lawyer - showing Mr Malsin's detention was linked to his work as a journalist.
Mr Hale said Mr Malsin was well known to Israeli military and government officials, who he spoke to regularly, and had even been offered access to Israeli military facilities in the West Bank.Mr Hale said Mr Malsin was well known to Israeli military and government officials, who he spoke to regularly, and had even been offered access to Israeli military facilities in the West Bank.
"It's preposterous, this is a guy who a month ago was invited to tour a military base in a settlement," said Mr Hale."It's preposterous, this is a guy who a month ago was invited to tour a military base in a settlement," said Mr Hale.
He said Mr Malsin, a Yale graduate, had initially come to Israel on the Birthright programme, which funds visits to Israel for young Jewish Americans. He said Mr Malsin, a graduate of Yale University, had initially come to Israel on the Birthright programme, which funds visits to Israel for young Jewish Americans.
It was not clear whether Mr Malsin had a valid visa allowing him to work in Israel and the West Bank.It was not clear whether Mr Malsin had a valid visa allowing him to work in Israel and the West Bank.
Foreign nationals working or volunteering with Palestinian organisations in the West Bank often complain of difficulty obtaining visas.Foreign nationals working or volunteering with Palestinian organisations in the West Bank often complain of difficulty obtaining visas.
Many are present on three-month tourist visas, which do not provide permission to work and may not be extended.Many are present on three-month tourist visas, which do not provide permission to work and may not be extended.
Maan news agency says it "scrupulously maintains its editorial independence and aims to promote access to information, freedom of expression, press freedom, and media pluralism in Palestine".Maan news agency says it "scrupulously maintains its editorial independence and aims to promote access to information, freedom of expression, press freedom, and media pluralism in Palestine".