The occupation reaches Europe: airlines cancel ‘flytilla’ passenger tickets
Three European airlines have canceled the flights of passengers from the Airflotilla2, or flytilla, the campaign in which activists challenge Israel's occupation of the Palestinian territories by flying into Tel Aviv and announcing to customs their intent to travel to the West Bank. - The campaign started last year with a similar "Welcome to Palestine" fly-in, where some were also refused entry onto their purchased departure flights, at the behest of Israeli security. Again, this year based on "Israel's orders," Lufthansa Airlines, Brussels Airlines and EasyJet all have canceled flytilla passenger tickets. As of today, European airlines have canceled up to 40 passenger tickets. Campaign organizers with Bienvenue Palestine also found the tickets of two passengers unaffiliated with the flytilla were included in the mass cancellations. Passengers also received cancellation notices from the other European airlines, stating "Israel Immigration Authorities have informed us that you will be refused entry to Israel and instructed us to refuse you carriage." Bienvenue Palestine posted the text of the notices. [...] The notices indicate airlines received a master "back list" from Israeli authorities, which was used to select the passengers that were kept from boarding flights. Though the methods used to compile the list are unclear, yesterday Ynet News confirmed Israeli border security did send airlines companies both a passenger black list, along with a letter advising the companies to bar those listed from boarding their flights.