Israel Begins Detaining Pro-Palestinian Activists

Security continued to be tight at Israel's Ben Gurion International Airport as pro-Palestinian activists began arriving for a mass fly-in to protest Israel's control of access to the Palestinian Territories.

Activists with the "Welcome to Palestine" initiative say numerous activists have been prevented from boarding flights in Geneva, Rome, and other cities as a result of a "no-fly" list circulated by Israel among European airlines.

Israeli police say four people were detained in Tel Aviv and will be deported.

Protest organizers say 1,500 people purchased tickets to Israel for the event, which will also feature the opening of a school and museum on the West Bank.

However, as many as 60 percent of those activists had their tickets canceled because of the Israeli pressure.

Based on reporting by Reuters, AFP, AP, and dpa