A prominent left-wing Israeli activist Jonathan Pollak was sentenced to jail for three months and fined 1,500 shekels (£273) yesterday for taking part in a 2008 bicycle protest against the blockade of Gaza.

The Association of Civil Rights in Israel said the sentence was an "extreme punishment" and raised suspicion that Pollak was "targeted to silence him and prevent him from partaking in acts of protest".

In January 2008, Pollak participated, along with 30 others, in a mass bicycle ride through Tel Aviv. Police arrested Pollak but allowed the rest of the activists to continue with the protest, his lawyer said.