Israel has denied renowned Jewish-American scholar Noam Chomsky entry into the occupied Palestinian territories over his anti-Israeli stance, PRESS TV reported.
At the invitation of a Palestinian official, Chomsky was planned to address the Palestinian Bir Zeit University in the West Bank on Monday.
"He called us from the border to say he was stopped...," said Palestinian official Mustafa Barghouti. Chomsky was "denied entry because of his opinions and because he was against Israel's policies," AFP reported.
"This act shows the nature of the Israeli government that is against freedom of speech, particularly from such a noted international figure like Chomsky."
The 81-year-old senior academic has warned that Tel Aviv's preference for expansion over security "may well lead to" its self-destruction.
He has also said that Israel is "essentially a US military base" in keeping with his vociferous criticism of the United States foreign policy and Washington's support for Tel Aviv.