Israel flip-flops on Human Rights Watch ban after getting negative press

The director of the Israel-Palestine branch of Human Rights Watch (HRW) was refused entry into Israel after waiting months for a work permit on the grounds that the investigative organization had a record of spreading, 'Palestinian propaganda'.

Omar Shakir, a Palestinian US citizen who had applied for the visa last July, posted the reasoning provided to HRW by the Israeli government for their denial of his entry:

Israel denies @hrw application for a work permit for me in my capacity as Israel/Palestine director. Our statement: https://t.co/d5BM3W92Fe pic.twitter.com/OHzPfJVWvA

— Omar Shakir (@OmarSShakir) February 24, 2017

People were quick to make connections between the recent decision and those of other governments notorious of human rights abuses:

What do Cuba North Korea Sudan Uzbekistan Venezuela and #Israel have in common? They all banned Human Rights Watch https://t.co/SEka8Z2diL

— Dave Geller (@KllrDave) February 24, 2017

Another Twitter user, who reposted HRW's response to the ban, provided mocking commentary on Israel's choice to deny Mr. Shakir entry, implying tongue-in-cheek that the move was prestigious:

Israel joins small distinguished club of nations than declare Human Rights Watch as enemy propaganda & ban its staff https://t.co/jaB9CfnumN pic.twitter.com/nVDqd8UILi

— Tom Gara (@tomgara) February 24, 2017

A pro-Palestinian Twitter account said that the attempts to quell the clamour for Palestinian rights would ultimately prove unsuccessful:

Israeli occupation denies Israel-Palestine director of Human Rights Watch work permit. They keep trying to silence people but it won't work.

— OccPal-Gaza (@OccPalGaza) February 25, 2017

In this case, the above tweet was accurate; the Israeli government reversed the decision and invited Mr. Shakir to apply again after US Jewish human rights groups protested the move, according to The Times of Israel. Indeed, the Jewish state has a track record of making exceptions to the status quo if they get enough negative attention. At least these PR fumbles hint at a more realistic picture of what’s going on in Israel-Palestine.

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