3 publishers · first seen Tue, 27 Oct 2026 16:34 UTC · updated Fri, 30 Oct 2026 08:58 UTC
Members of the UK and Scottish Parliaments, including Labour MP Clive Lewis and SNP MP Lara Bird, were detained for eight hours by Israeli authorities after being denied access to the occupied Palestinian territories. The delegation, which also included Green MSP Kate Nevins and former Labour MP Sam Tarry, was attempting to cross the Allenby/King Hussein Bridge from Jordan into Palestine to attend the Progressive International's Second Ramallah Congress. They were stopped by occupation forces and subjected to interrogation, with Bird stating she was accused of 'hating Israel'. The group had intended to meet Palestinian students, civil society leaders, and accompany olive farmers facing escalating Israeli settler violence. Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband expressed deep concern over the denial of entry to the West Bank and has raised the issue with the Israeli authorities.
The delegation's experience highlighted the challenges faced by Palestinians in the West Bank, with Bird emphasizing the importance of bearing witness and showing solidarity. Despite the denial of entry, the group remains determined to speak out against the escalating violence and injustice in the region.
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