By Safina Khan | VOA News
Two British MPs, a Member of the Scottish Parliament and a former Labour MP say they were refused entry to the occupied West Bank after being detained and questioned by Israeli authorities at the border crossing from Jordan.
Labour MP Clive Lewis said the delegation was questioned for hours by Israeli authorities before being refused entry to the occupied West Bank . File photo
Labour MP Clive Lewis, SNP MP Lara Bird, Scottish Greens MSP Kate Nevens and former Labour MP Sam Tarry said they were held for more than eight hours at the Allenby/King Hussein Bridge before being denied entry. The delegation also included a member of the Spanish Senate.
In a statement, Lewis said the group had anticipated possible questioning but was concerned by the length of time they were detained. He said the delegation had been treated as though it had done something wrong simply for attempting to enter the occupied Palestinian territories.
The group had planned to meet Palestinian students and civil society representatives at Birzeit University. They also intended to accompany Palestinian farmers during the olive harvest, amid reports of increasing violence by Israeli settlers.
The delegation was additionally scheduled to attend the Second Ramallah Congress, organised by Progressive International.
Lara Bird said the delegation had travelled to stand in support of Palestinians and highlight the challenges they face. File photo
Lara Bird said the visit was intended to demonstrate solidarity with Palestinians facing attacks while harvesting olives on their own land. She said the delegation was turned away without being given a reason.
She also raised concerns about the situation in the West Bank, pointing to restrictions on movement, demolitions and violence affecting Palestinian communities.
Sam Tarry, who represented Labour in Parliament before losing his seat in the 2024 general election. File photo
Sam Tarry, who represented Ilford South as a Labour MP until the 2024 general election, said officials cited the prevention of illegal immigration as the reason for refusing him entry.
Sam Tarry said the delegation had been told that an Israeli cabinet minister would need to decide whether they could enter the territory.
He argued that the decision raised concerns about international scrutiny of conditions faced by Palestinians living under occupation.
The delegation’s visit was intended to include meetings with Palestinian representatives and observation of conditions affecting local communities.
The Israeli Embassy in the United Kingdom has been approached for comment on the allegations.
A spokesperson for the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said the government was aware of the reports and was urgently working to establish the facts.
VOA News | By Safina Khan
