Israeli officials detained, interrogated and deported five Americans trying to enter the country to "observe the conditions under which Palestinians live," according to a U.S. rights group.
The activists with the U.S. Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation, which describes itself as a national coalition working for Palestinian rights, say they were trying to "gain a better understanding of the situation on the ground," NBC News reported.
"Upon their arrival [on July 17], a U.S. campaign staffer and four other members of the group — all carrying U.S. passports — were interrogated by Israeli border police about their backgrounds and political involvement," a statement issued by the organization Tuesday said.
A spokesman for Israel's Interior Ministry said three of the five campaigners were denied entry for "security reasons" but did not elaborate on what those reasons were.