Activists planning pro-Palestinian protest at Ben Gurion

JERUSALEM (JTA) — Hundreds of pro-Palestinian activists reportedly are planning to fly to Ben Gurion Airport in Israel to protest the country’s policies toward the Palestinians.

Activists hope the "fly-in," scheduled for July 8, will disrupt airport operations, including departing and arriving flights. Most of the activists are from Europe, The Jerusalem Post reported.

The activists plan to declare "Palestine" as their destination once they land in Israel, according to reports. They face being denied entry to Israel and deportation. They reportedly will demonstrate if denied entry.

Meanwhile, leaders of the Gaza-bound flotilla rejected an offer late Sunday by Greece to deliver aid from the ships stuck in Greek harbors to the coastal strip either through Egypt or Israel. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas reportedly had agreed to the deal.

The Greek government so far has not given permission to any ships planning to sail to Gaza to leave its ports. Flotilla organizers said the remaining ships in the flotilla would leave Greek ports by Monday evening, according to reports. 

The Anti-Defamation League on Sunday praised the Greek government for preventing the ships involved in the Gaza-bound flotilla from leaviing its ports.

In a letter sent to Prime Minister George Papandreou, ADL National Director Abraham Foxman expressed his organization’s "sincere appreciation for the action taken by Greece to prevent the ships involved in the Gaza flotilla from leaving Greek ports."

"Your willingness to act in such a responsible manner serves as an example for the entire international community," it said. "Greece’s actions to stop these ships from using Greek ports as a launching point will help prevent the public confrontation with Israeli naval authorities these activists are seeking."