Israeli forces detain 23-member international delegation at West Bank border
The group, which included four elected officials, was held for nine hours while attending a congress in Ramallah.
By James Mitchell ·
Israeli forces detained a delegation of 23 people at the Allenby/King Hussein Bridge in Jordan on Sunday. The group was prevented from crossing into the West Bank to join the Progressive International’s Second Ramallah Congress. The delegation included representatives from France, Spain, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Greece, Holland, Ireland and the US.
Four elected officials traveled with the group. They were Labour MP Clive Lewis, Scottish National party MP Lara Bird, Scottish Greens MSP Kate Nevens and former Labour MP Sam Tarry. Lewis described the detention as a deeply unpleasant experience. He said the group was detained, taken aside and interrogated. He noted that people were shouted at during the questioning.
Tarry stated the delegation had a genuine chance of entering the territory. The group was held for nine hours before being released. Tarry said the decision was political. He argued that authorities did not want witnesses to the situation in the West Bank. He linked the timing to upcoming elections.
The delegation aimed to meet Palestinian children, farmers and society leaders. The visit coincided with the olive harvest season. The congress was organized by Progressive International in partnership with Birzeit University. The program included meetings with academics, students and civil society groups.
Israeli media reported earlier this month that Defence Minister Israel Katz instructed officials to pursue exclusion orders. The orders targeted activists traveling to olive-harvesting areas. The UN aid coordination office recorded at least 160 settler attacks linked to the harvest in the first two weeks of October. These attacks often occurred with the protection or participation of Israeli forces.
Recent incidents include attacks on European diplomats and a French mayor who accompanied farmers. Approximately 80 olive-harvest volunteers were also detained recently. This group included US congressional candidate Brad Lander. Lara Bird said the group was turned away with no reason given. She asked why Israel was determined to stop them from seeing the occupied West Bank.
Laila Hazaineh, a political coordinator for Progressive International, said the delegation remained determined to cross despite the violence. She stated that every refusal of entry would strengthen their determination. The Israeli embassy has been contacted for comment.
Source: The Guardian
