The latest gimmick of the Israeli occupation under the guise of "security considerations" has emerged. The test subject: Nasser Laham, a Palestinian journalist from Bethlehem who is close with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and who advocates peace with Israel.
Some two weeks ago, Laham sought to join Abbas on his visit to Europe and the United States, where he met with President Barack Obama.
He contacted the PA's coordination and liaison office to obtain a permit to enter Jerusalem for two to three hours, so he could get to the American consulate and obtain a visa to visit the United States. His request was denied. Abbas' office tried to intervene and a few days later Laham was told that he could enter Jerusalem provided he hire security escorts to accompany him the entire way to and from the consulate and that he pay for them.
But when he asked who he should hire to accompany him, he was not given any answers. In the end, the red tape did him in and he did not accompany his president.
More than 250 news outlets around the world have signed an appeal that calls for the...
