The Jerusalem District Court on Tuesday upheld the Israeli government’s deportation order against Omar Shakir, a US citizen and the Human Rights Watch (HRW) Israel and Palestine director.

The court ordered Shakir’s work permit to be revoked in response to his criticism of Israel’s rights record. While making its determination, the court looked broadly at Shakir’s history, including work Shakir performed as a student activist in 2006 as well as his research and duties performed for HRW.

In its decision, the court specifically identified illegal “boycott-promoting activities” related to the West Bank. In 2018 HRW publicly recommended that companies such as Airbnb and Booking.com “cease operating in Israeli settlements in the West Bank,” and these companies appeared to act on these recommendations. Although the settlements are an ongoing source of conflict between Israel and Palestine, the court applied Israel’s anti-boycott law to the West Bank settlements.

Shakir’s deportation order is the first time “the government has relied on a 2017 amendment to the Law of Entry to deport someone who is already lawfully present in the country.”

In a statement supporting Shakir, HRW described the ruling as dangerous precedent that “could hamper the work of other advocacy organizations and jeopardize the status of other rights workers in Israel.” HRW continues to support Shakir’s public statements.

As a result of this ruling, Shakir has until May 1 to leave Israel. HRW is appealing the decision to the Israeli Supreme Court and is pursuing an injunction to allow Shakir to stay in the country through the appeal process.