Palestinian rights group says Israel barred its director from travelling abroad

Israel barred Shawan Jabarin, the general director of Palestinian human rights group Al-Haq, from travelling to Jordan after stopping him at the Allenby Bridge crossing on Friday, the organisation said.

In a statement, Al-Haq said Israeli forces questioned Jabarin about the purpose of his journey before informing him that he was banned from travelling.

The organisation said the restriction were politically motivated and linked to his human rights advocacy.

Al-Haq said Jabarin had previously faced travel restrictions and threats over his work. It cited a 2022 warning call from Israel’s Shin Bet and said a travel ban imposed in 2006 remained in force for six years before being temporarily lifted in 2012.