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It has been claimed that two MEPs and members of the European Parliament administration staff were refused entry to Israel.
This, it is also alleged, is despite them travelling as part of an organised mission on behalf of the European Parliament Delegation for Relations with Palestine.
The claims are made by The Left Group in the EU parliament.
Lynn Boylan, who is Chairperson of the European Parliament Delegation, and Rima Hassan were both refused entry to Israel at Ben-Gurion airport on 24 February.
It is understood that members of the European Parliament administration, not linked to any political group, were also refused entry.
Boylan (Sinn Fein, Ireland), Chair of the European Parliament delegation for relations with Palestine, was quick to comment.
She said: “It is utterly disgraceful that Israel has blocked MEPs, who are travelling as part of an official European Parliament delegation, from travelling through Israel. This utter contempt from Israel is the result of the international community failing to hold them to account. As part of the visit, I would be travelling to meet with the Palestinian authority, civil society organisations and most importantly, the Palestinian men, women and children who have bore the brunt of Israel’s genocidal war and illegal occupation. Israel is a rogue state, and this disgraceful move shows the level of utter disregard that they have for international law. Europe must now hold Israel to account.”
“We need concrete measures including sanctions against Israel”.
The Left said that it “reiterates that MEPs must be allowed to do their work as elected representatives, in Europe or abroad, and must not be hindered in the course of their duties.”
A spokesman said, “This latest incident comes as the EU-Israel Association Council took place in Brussels, with the EU recommencing normal relations with Israel despite egregious breaches of international law committed in Gaza and the West Bank amounting to the crime of genocide.”
“The Left stands with its elected representatives and with the people of Palestine, and will continue to apply pressure for the immediate suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement.”
