Falun Gong Practitioner on Trial in Israel, at Risk of Deportation

Israel's Supreme Court in Jerusalem convened on July 25 to decide whether to deport a Chinese woman back to her homeland.

The woman is a foreign worker without a permanent visa. She says that if she returns to China, she would be in danger of being imprisoned and even tortured because she practices Falun Gong.  The Chinese regime has been persecuting adherents of the traditional meditation practice since 1999.

The woman did not want to give her name because she fears it would put her family in China at risk.

[Smadar Ben Nathan, Attorney for the Defense]:
"We tried to convince the court that there is no doubt that Falun Gong [practitioners] are severely persecuted in China, and that this woman has been living here for many years and she practices and participates in rallies against the Chinese regime."

The woman arrived in Israel in 2006 and immediately applied for refugee status. But local authorities refused. They doubted and continue to doubt the authenticity of her testimony. Recently Israeli authorities are taking stronger measures to decrease the numbers of foreign workers infiltrating the country illegally. Many people have been known to try to 'pass' for Falun Gong practitioners in an attempt to get permanent visas.
 

[Smadar Ben Nathan, Attorney for the Defense]:
"The discussion was not easy because it was argued that she (the practitioner) wasn't telling the truth when she was interviewed. That's why the judges find it difficult accepting the basic fact that she is really a practitioner who is known as one by the Chinese authorities and that she is really at risk of being persecuted."

Fellow Falun Gong practitioners living in Israel were there to support. They seem to have full confidence in the integrity of the Israeli Judicial system.
 
[Ana, Falun Gong Practitioner]:
"They will not let us go back to China. It is a dangerous place. All the world knows the behavior of the Chinese Communist regime. I feel we have a chance to stay here. We only want to live peacefully. We don't do bad things. We live according to Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance."

[Falun Gong Practitioner on Trial]:
"I just want to thank all Israelis who supported me and who support Justice."

The Israeli judges did not reach a decision. They said they might request to hear more testimonies.  A date for the final verdict is yet to be set.

The ancient mediation practice of Falun Gong is based on the principles truthfulness, compassion, and forbearance. It was opened to the public in 1992 and was quickly embraced by millions worldwide.

In Israel their numbers are estimated at about 150, including 20 Chinese people.

NTD News, Israel

Reporter: Rani Shoket

Interviewing: Hava Tor

Photography: Rani Shoket, Michael Ash