AJ007 wrote:

> This just sounds like an attempt to keep individuals of certain backgrounds out of a country.

Absolutely correct. The security officials believed that the individuals where pro-Palestinian activists. Here is a quote and article that details this:

"The agent, suspecting Tamari was involved in pro-Palestinian activism, wanted to inspect her private email account for incriminating evidence. The 42-year-old American of Palestinian descent refused and was swiftly expelled from the country."

http://www.timesofisrael.com/pro-palestinian-activist-says-s...