Human rights activist: Israel rejects regional head of Human Rights Watch

Omar Shakir, Regional Head of Human Rights Watch (HRW), is leaving Israel. Shakir will leave in the evening, the NGO said on their website. "The expulsion is a sign of the increasing attacks of the authorities on human rights", it said in the opinion.

Israel's Supreme Court had confirmed the decision of Interior Minister Arie Deri at the beginning of the month. This justified the expulsion that Shakir support a boycott of Israel - which Shakir but denied. The European Union called on Israel to withdraw the decision.

Shakir, an American citizen with Iraqi roots, is responsible for Israel and the Palestinian territories at Human Rights Watch. (Read more about the case here.) With his deportation, the Israeli government is responding to its efforts to defend human rights, Shakir said shortly before leaving Ben Gurion Airport. In addition, he accused the government of wanting to make the human rights organization "mundtot" with the measure.

HRW boss criticizes decision sharply

"Human Rights Watch's use of human rights abuses by Israel, the Palestinian Authority and Hamas will continue under Shakir's leadership," HRW said. Shakir will work in the region from another organization's office.

HRW leader Kenneth Roth said: "Israel joins countries like Venezuela, Iran and Egypt today by blocking HRW staff." Israel will not be able to hide human rights abuses. He called for international pressure to end "the systematic oppression of Palestinians under occupation."

Israel has decided in 2018 to deny entry to activists of certain organizations calling for an Israeli boycott.