Scottish lawmakers said Israeli authorities barred them from entering the West Bank
SNP MP Lara Bird and Scottish Greens MSP Kate Nevens said Israeli authorities detained them for eight hours and denied them entry to the West Bank. They were stopped at the Allenby Bridge crossing from Jordan while part of a Progressive International delegation planning to meet Palestinian students and accompany farmers during the olive harvest. Bird said no reason was given.
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SNP MP Lara Bird and Scottish Greens MSP Kate Nevens reported being held by Israeli authorities for eight hours and barred from entering the West Bank on Monday. The politicians said they were questioned before being turned back at the Allenby Bridge crossing from Jordan.
They were part of a Progressive International delegation that also included Labour MP Clive Lewis, former Labour MP Sam Tarry and Spanish senator Josu Estarrona Elizondo. The group had planned to meet Palestinian students and civil society representatives and join farmers during the olive harvest. Bird said authorities gave no reason for the refusal. Nevens described the detention as frightening and said the group left safely. The BBC reported that the delegation had 23 members.
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Reporting
- BBC News — MP and MSP detained by Israel and barred from entering West Bank - BBC News
- Daily Mail — British politicians held by Israeli authorities after 'trying to enter the West Bank to meet olive farmers' | Daily Mail Online
- stv.tv — SNP MP and Scottish Green MSP detained by Israel after trying to enter Palestine | STV News
- scottishdailyexpress.co.uk — Lara Bird detained by Israeli authorities alongside controversial Green MSP - Scottish Daily Express
- thenational.scot — MPs and MSP claim they were denied access to West Bank | The National
- thescottishsun.co.uk — Scots politicians 'detained for over eight hours & interrogated by' Israeli authorities after trying to enter West Bank
- dailyrecord.co.uk — Scottish politicians 'detained by Israel' after trying to enter Palestine - Daily Record
Verifier’s note
STV News, BBC News, Scottish Daily Express, The National, The Scottish Sun, Daily Record, and Daily Mail report that Lara Bird and Kate Nevens were detained and turned back while trying to enter the West Bank. Their reports are current and consistent with the claim; The National’s report is PA wire copy.