UK raises MPs’ West Bank entry refusal with Israel

Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband says the UK has raised with Israeli authorities the refusal to admit two MPs and a Scottish MSP to the West Bank. The three were part of a 23-person delegation turned away on Monday while travelling from Jordan to meet Palestinian groups and join the olive harvest.

Labour MP Clive Lewis, SNP MP Lara Bird and Scottish Greens MSP Kate Nevens said Israeli authorities detained and questioned them for about eight hours at the Allenby/King Hussein Bridge crossing. Nevens described the experience as “frightening” but said the group was able to leave safely.

The delegation planned to attend a Progressive International gathering at Birzeit University, meet Palestinian students and civil society groups, and accompany farmers during the olive harvest, according to Global Justice Now, which was involved in the programme. The visit came amid reports of attacks on Palestinian olive pickers.

Bird said the group was turned away without being given a reason. Former Labour MP Sam Tarry, who was also travelling with them, told Sky News that his own refusal was described as being for the “prevention of illegal immigration”. That does not establish why the three serving politicians were refused entry.

Miliband told the House of Commons on Tuesday that the UK had been in touch with the MPs to offer assistance. He said it was important for MPs travelling abroad to have access that allowed them to carry out their parliamentary duties.