Israeli writer deported despite pending petition in Supreme Court

British-born controversial Jewish writer Susan Nathan, who has been residing here since 2009, has been deported to Israel on court orders, official sources said today. The Kerala High Court had on March 16 last issued an order for the deportation of 63-year-old Nathan, after the state government informed the court that she had connections with banned Islamic outfits like Students Islamic Movement of India and the National Development Front, a charge which she denied later. Nathan is the author of 'The Other Side of Israel,' which explored the historical, political and cultural currents of the Middle Eastern conflict, and wrote that the Arabs were facing discrimination in Israel.

The book has since been translated into Malayalam. Nathan was also associated with the pain and palliative centre at the Medical College here.The district administration carried out the deportation order after her 'X-Visa' expired on February 21, while she was contesting the High Court order for deportation in the Supreme Court. Her Advocate Manjeri Sunder Raj said she would continue her legal battle for residing here. A case was registered against Nathan on February 27 for violating provisions of the Foreigners' Act by overstaying.