Activists stage prote in West Bank

AMMAN, Jordan - The Associated Press

About 100 international activists, including 3 Americans, attempted to enter the West Bank via Jordan in a protest against what they call an Israeli ’siege’ on the area and Jerusalem.

Pro-Palestinian activists planned to cross into the West Bank via the Israeli-controlled crossing as part of third “Welcome to Palestine,” a campaign aimed at highlighting Israel’s control over entry to the occupied territories. Group’s previous ‘flytillas’ were either prevented from flying by their airlines or blocked from entering Israel at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion airport in July 2011 and April 2012.

Pens, crayons and bags

Planning on a crossing at the Allenby Bridge, the group aimed to deliver one ton of school supplies to Palestinian children in refugee camps in Bethlehem. Israel, which controls the land border, has previously blocked similar protests.

With pens, crayons, children’s book bags and other materials on display at a press conference in the Jordanian capital, Amman, French organizer Olivia Zemor said the activists wanted Israel to grant freedom of movement to the Palestinians and their visitors. Some also demand the lifting of an Israeli blockade on Gaza.