UK MPs and Scottish MSP say Israel held them for eight hours and denied West Bank entry
Lara Bird, Clive Lewis and Kate Nevens say they were questioned and turned back while travelling with a delegation that planned to support Palestinian olive growers.
SNP MP Lara Bird, Labour MP Clive Lewis and Scottish Greens MSP Kate Nevens said Israeli authorities held them for about eight hours on 26 October and refused them entry to the West Bank from Jordan, BBC News reported. The three were travelling with an international delegation that planned to support Palestinian olive growers during the harvest.
Bird said the 23-person group was questioned and prevented from crossing the King Hussein Bridge. The delegation was organised by Progressive International and included former Labour MP Sam Tarry and a former member of the Basque senate, according to the BBC.
Why the delegation sought to enter the West Bank
Bird said the visitors intended to stand alongside Palestinians facing attacks while harvesting olives on their land. The National reported that they also planned to meet Palestinian students at Birzeit University and civil society leaders. A PA Media report published by The Standard said the planned programme included meetings with academics and participation in the olive harvest.
The National cited the UN for at least 160 settler attacks on Palestinian olive growers in the first two weeks of October. That wider violence was the context for the delegation’s planned visit; the group was turned back before entering the territory.
Lewis said the group had anticipated the possibility of detention, questioning and refusal of entry. He said they had gone to support Palestinians and draw attention to violence against them. Nevens described the experience as frightening and said the group was able to leave safely, the BBC reported.
What is known about the entry refusal
Bird said no reason was given for turning the delegation away, according to The National. Israel’s specific reason for refusing this group has not been established. The BBC said it had contacted the Israeli embassy and the UK Foreign Office for comment.
The BBC reported that Israel’s military announced on 26 October that all West Bank land crossings would close during the following day’s national elections as part of heightened security measures. The delegation’s attempted crossing was on 26 October; the announced election-day closure does not establish why this group was refused entry then.
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Sources and context
- MPs and MSP detained by Israel and barred from entering West BankBBC News
- International delegation barred by Israel from entering West Bank to support olive harvestThe National
- MPs and MSP claim they were denied access to West BankThe Standard (PA Media report)
AI-assisted article checked against the listed sources. NewsJaws did not conduct interviews or attend the reported events.