SNP MP Lara Bird, Labour MP Clive Lewis, and Scottish Greens MSP Kate Nevens were detained by Israeli authorities for eight hours while attempting to enter the West Bank on Monday. The group, part of a Progressive International delegation, was prevented from crossing the King Hussein Bridge between Jordan and the West Bank amid heightened security measures ahead of Israel's national elections. The MPs and MSP said they were interrogated and ultimately turned away despite their intention to support Palestinians during the olive harvest season.
The incident highlights ongoing tensions in the region, with recent displacement of around 2,000 Palestinians in Hebron following attacks linked to the October 2023 Hamas-led assault on Israel. UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband expressed concern over the denial of access to elected officials and confirmed the government had raised the matter with Israeli authorities. The SNP stated its support for the Palestinian people, while the Israeli embassy has yet to comment.
Read the full story: BBC UK News.
Source: BBC UK News. Aggregated summary, not independent reporting.