Hasseis

MEMORANDUM *

Petitioner Mustafa AJi Hasseis challenges the Board of Immigration Appeals’ denial of his application for asylum and withholding of deportation under sections 208(a) and 243(h) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. §§ 1158 (a) and 1253(h) (1994). 1 We deny the petition for review.

We review for substantial evidence the BIA’s denial of asylum and withholding of deportation. See Fisher v. INS, 79 F.3d 955, 961 (9th Cir.1996) (en banc); Ghaly v. INS, 58 F.3d 1425, 1431 (9th Cir.1995). We may reverse the BIA only if the evidence in the record compels a contrary result. See INS v. Elias-Zacarias, 502 U.S. 478, 481-84 , 112 S.Ct. 812 , 117 L.Ed.2d 38 (1992). To be eligible for asylum, Hasseis must show: (1) he was persecuted in the past on account of his Palestinian identity; or (2) he has a well-founded fear of future persecution in a particular country on account of his Palestinian identity. INA § 208(a), 8 U.S.C. § 1158 (a); 8 C.F.R. § 208.13 (b); see INA § 101(a)(42)(A), 8 U.S.C. § 1101 (a)(42)(A) (defining “refugee”). To be eligible for withholding of deportation, he must meet the higher standard of showing a “clear probability” that his “life or freedom…