THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — A prestigious Dutch human rights award was presented Friday
to two groups from Israel and the Palestinian territories
even though the director of the Palestinian organization was
banned from attending the ceremony.

The Geuzenpenning medal has been presented to Palestinian
group al-Haq and Israeli organization B’Tselem at a
ceremony in the southern Dutch city of Vlaardingen.

The foundation that makes the annual award praised both
groups for their “independent and critical”
monitoring of rights abuses in the occupied territories.

The director of al-Haq, Shawan Jabarin, was not able to
attend the presentation because Israel refused to lift a
travel ban it imposed on him.

Hans Mathijssen, who helped organize the ceremony, said
Jabarin was able to watch live through a computer link with Ramallah.

“So, Mr. Jabarin was virtually present at the
ceremony,” Mathijssen said.

Israel’s Supreme Court ruled Tuesday there was evidence
Jabarin is involved with terror groups. Jabarin denies the
accusation and the organization that presents the medal
condemned the decision.

Geuzen Resistance Foundation spokeswoman Edith Kwakernaak
said Tuesday the organization was “shocked and
disappointed” at the court’s decision.

Dutch Foreign Minister Maxime Verhagen also expressed his
disappointment after lobbying unsuccessfully for Jabarin to
be allowed to travel to the Netherlands.

The prize recognizes human rights works and is awarded by a
foundation named for a Dutch World War II resistance movement.

Previous winners include kidnapped Colombian presidential
candidate Ingrid Betancourt and watchdog groups Amnesty
International and Human Rights Watch.