Israel was bracing itself on Thursday for an expected attempt by hundreds of pro-Palestinian activists to fly into the country, as the latest flotilla of ships intended for Gaza appeared to have been largely stalled. Israeli media reported that hundreds of extra police would be deployed at Ben Gurion airport in Tel Aviv to try to halt the influx of protesters, who are part of the Welcome to Palestine campaign.
Most are expected to arrive on an estimated 50 scheduled flights from across Europe, beginning at 1am on Friday. The campaign has denied that those participating intend to try to reach Gaza or provoke deliberate disruption at Ben Guirion airport.
"As stated … we invite international guests including families to visit us in Palestine," Welcome to Palestine said in a statement on Thursday. "We hope and expect the Israeli authorities to allow them safe passage in compliance with international law and normal diplomatic relations. We also reject the Israeli government threat of mass deportation of peace activists and the attempt to justify this unjustifiable action with rumours that have been spread."
Israel's prime minister, Binyamin Netanyahu, has taken a personal interest in the "flytilla" threat, visiting airport officials before a trip to Romania and insisting that "every country has the right to prevent entry of disrupters and provocateurs at its borders".