Human Rights Watch criticized Israel on Wednesday after a court rule that the director of the human rights office in Israel was expelled.
"The court´s decision to support the expulsion sends a screaming message that human rights defenders and critics are unwelcome people," the organization wrote in a tweet on Wednesday.
An Israeli court upheld the expulsion order issued by the Israeli government on Tuesday, and Omar Shaker, director of Human Rights Watch´s office in Israel and Palestine, has until May 1 to leave Israel. However, Shaker wrote on Twitter that he intends to apply to the Supreme Court to appeal.
Israel had ordered Shaker to be deported a year ago, citing his activities and supporting boycotts against Israel. Human Rights Watch said in a statement that it supported Shaker and that she and Shaker were encouraging the boycott of Israel.
Under Israeli law, the Ministry of the Interior may refuse to grant visas to persons who advocate boycotts against Israel.
