British MPs and MSP Detained at West Bank Border
Three UK lawmakers say they were interrogated for eight hours and denied entry to the West Bank.
Three United Kingdom lawmakers—Scottish Greens MSP Kate Nevens, SNP MP Lara Bird, and Labour MP Clive Lewis—stated they were detained by Israeli authorities for eight hours and barred from entering the West Bank. The group, part of a Progressive International delegation, reported being questioned before being turned away.
Bird, the MP for Arbroath and Broughty Ferry, shared on social media that the delegation of 23 individuals intended to express solidarity with Palestinians during olive harvesting. Lewis, who represents Norwich South, described the experience on X as feeling as though they had done something wrong, despite their peaceful intentions.
Msp Nevens characterized the event as frightening, noting that their experience was a fraction of the reality faced by Palestinians crossing the same border daily. The delegation also included ex-Labour MP Sam Tarry and a former member of the Basque senate.
This incident occurred as Israel implemented heightened security measures for Tuesday's national elections, closing West Bank land crossings. The closures were announced Monday by the Israeli military.
Recent days have seen increased tensions in the West Bank, with approximately 2,000 Palestinian residents displaced in Hebron following the killing of two Israeli soldiers by Palestinian gunmen. The Israeli military's actions in Hebron were reportedly in reprisal for the attack. Several attacks on Palestinians during the annual olive harvest have also been reported in the lead-up to the elections, the first since the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on Israel.
A spokesperson for the SNP affirmed the party's support for the Palestinian people. The Israeli embassy and the UK Foreign Office have been contacted for comment.