Miliband says UK raised MPs’ West Bank entry refusal with Israeli authorities

UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband told the House of Commons on Tuesday, 27 October, that the government had raised the refusal of entry to the West Bank of two MPs and a Scottish MSP with Israeli authorities. The three said they had been detained for eight hours and turned away while attempting to cross from Jordan the previous day.

Miliband said the government had also contacted the MPs to offer assistance. He said he was ‘deeply concerned’ about the denial of entry and that members of Parliament needed access abroad to carry out their duties. His statement followed the reported detention of Labour MP Clive Lewis, SNP MP Lara Bird and Scottish Greens MSP Kate Nevens.

What happened at the King Hussein Bridge

Progressive International said the visitors had planned to meet Palestinian academics, students and civil society organisations and join the olive harvest, The Standard reported. Bird said she had come to stand with Palestinians harvesting olives and that no reason was given for turning the group away. Lewis said the delegation had recognised detention, questioning or refusal as possible outcomes of the crossing attempt.

Nevens described the experience as frightening but said the group was able to leave safely, according to the BBC. She contrasted their experience with the difficulties Palestinians face when crossing to reach family or conduct daily life.

Why the delegation was refused entry remains unclear

The BBC reported that Israel’s military announced on Monday that West Bank land crossings would close during Tuesday’s national elections as part of heightened security measures. The delegation’s attempt to cross was on Monday, and it was not immediately clear whether that announced closure had any bearing on its refusal of entry. Both the BBC and The Standard said they had contacted the Israeli embassy and the Foreign Office for comment.