An international delegation featuring British politicians was blocked from entering the West Bank on a trip to meet Palestinian children, farmers, and civil leaders. The group aimed to engage with communities facing escalating violence from Israeli forces during the olive harvest season.
The group of 23 individuals included four elected representatives. Delegates came from countries such as France, Spain, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Greece, Holland, Ireland, and the United States. They included Labour MP Clive Lewis, Scottish National Party MP Lara Bird, Scottish Greens MSP Kate Nevens, and former Labour MP Sam Tarry.
Lewis described being held at the border crossing. "We were detained, taken aside and then interrogated," Lewis said. "I use the word interrogated because people were shouted at. We were asked why we were going in, what was happening, why our stories were one way or the other. The bottom line was it was a deeply unpleasant experience."
The travellers planned to attend Progressive International’s Second Ramallah Congress. The event was organised in partnership with Birzeit University to oppose the Israeli occupation in Palestine and featured meetings with academics, students, and civil society organisations.
Tarry said the group spent nine hours detained by Israeli forces at the Allenby/King Hussein Bridge in Jordan. "They made a political decision very clearly based on the fact they didn’t want people to witness what’s been going on in the West Bank, especially ahead of the elections," he said.
The travel restrictions took place during a period of attacks by Israeli forces on Palestinian olive farmers, foreign press, and activists in the area. While international travel to parts of the West Bank is technically allowed, it is heavily controlled by military checkpoints.
Earlier this month, Israeli media reported that Defence Minister Israel Katz instructed officials to pursue exclusion orders against activists traveling to Palestinian olive-harvesting regions. Israeli forces recently attacked European diplomats and a French mayor who were accompanying Palestinian farmers. Approximately 80 olive-harvest volunteers, including US congressional candidate Brad Lander, were also detained recently.
Bird issued a statement regarding the incident. "I came to stand alongside Palestinians being attacked for harvesting olives on their own land," Bird said. "Instead, we were turned away at the border with no reason given."
"It is more important now than ever that we bear witness and show our solidarity," Bird added. "But we were prevented from doing so. If Israel has nothing to hide, why is it so determined to stop us seeing what is happening in the occupied West Bank?"
Laila Hazaineh, a political coordinator for Progressive International, also released a statement. "Despite escalating violence, our delegation remained determined to cross to Palestine to participate in the olive harvest, and actively engage with Palestinian communities and institutions," Hazaineh said. "Every refusal of entry will only strengthen this determination."
The embassy of Israel was contacted for comment.
