NZ activist detained in Israel

A New Zealand pro-Palestinian activist has been detained in Israel and is to be deported.

Vivienne Porzsolt, 69, was detained yesterday along with former Australian MP Sylvia Hale, also 69, at Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport.

The women were part of a "flytilla" going to Palestine to protest Israel's occupation and blockade of Gaza.

They were initially going to travel there with a flotilla of boats from Greece in an attempt to breach the blockade, but had to abandon this due to pressure from Israeli authorities, New Zealand activist John Minto said.

Ms Porzsolt's son Alistair Broughton told NZPA he had been able to speak to his mother, who was being treated well and was in good spirits.

She had not been charged with anything but was detained because the Israeli authorities did not like her political stance, he said.

She was to be deported but would appeal the decision in court today (Israel time).

Ms Porzsolt, who is of Jewish descent, has been involved with a group called Jews Against the Occupation for the past 10 years.

"She basically finds it very upsetting that Israel is denying the right of self-determination for the Palestinians, which puts a black mark across all Jewish people," Mr Broughton said.

The women had intended to visit Palestinian activist Dr Mazin Qumsiyeh in Bethlehem.

Of the activists who managed to arrive in Israel as part of the "flytilla", 120 were denied entry and taken into custody, although some were later admitted after pledging not to take part in public disorder, AFP reported.

- NZPA