UK MPs Detained by Israeli Authorities in West Bank Entry Attempt
Progressive International delegation, including Labour and SNP politicians, held for eight hours amid heightened security and ongoing military operations.
Callum Smith
Three UK politicians were detained by Israeli authorities for eight hours while attempting to enter the West Bank.
The Israeli military closed all West Bank land crossings, citing heightened security during national elections. Authorities stopped a European delegation as it attempted to cross from Jordan.
Lara Bird confirmed the group was "held for eight hours, interrogated and ultimately prevented from crossing the border." She added, "I came to stand alongside Palestinians being attacked for harvesting olives on their own land. Instead, we were turned away, with no reason given."
I came to stand alongside Palestinians being attacked for harvesting olives on their own land. Instead, we were turned away, with no reason given.
Clive Lewis corroborated that Israeli authorities barred him and other European elected representatives from entering the West Bank. He stated, "We knew that by crossing into the occupied Palestinian territories, we risked being detained, interrogated and turned away by Israeli authorities. And that, alas, is exactly what happened."
Lewis further detailed their experience: "For more than eight hours, we were held, interrogated and made to feel as though we had done something wrong simply by attempting to enter. The simple truth is we had done nothing wrong. We went to show our support for the Palestinian people and highlight the terrible injustice and violence being perpetrated against them."
An SNP spokesperson claimed the international delegation intended to meet and accompany Palestinian farmers facing escalating Israeli settler violence during the olive harvest. The spokesperson added that the "genocide in Gaza and the ongoing oppression in the West Bank needs to be constantly brought to the world's attention."
The Progressive International asserted the group planned a program of meetings with Palestinian academics, students, and civil society organizations. They also intended to join the olive harvest following what it described as "mounting attacks" against farmers. Lara Bird claimed Palestinians are being subjected to terror and violence by the IDF and illegal settlers.
The detention occurred as Benjamin Netanyahu announced a major operation in response to the killing of two Israeli soldiers by two Palestinian gunmen. Around 2,000 West Bank residents have been displaced in a subsequent military operation. Israeli forces commonly demolish the homes of Palestinians suspected of carrying out attacks on Israelis in the West Bank.