Two Scottish politicians refused entry to West Bank after their group 'failed to co-operate and gave false information', claim Israelis

Two Scottish politicians were refused entry to the West Bank because their group failed to co-operate with border guards and gave them false information, it has been claimed. SNP MP Lara Bird and Green MSP Kate Nevens were part of a delegation which was detained for eight hours by Israeli authorities and denied access. Opponents accused them of ‘political grandstanding’ and ignoring Foreign Office advice urging UK citizens not to travel to the West Bank.

The Foreign Office advises against all travel to the Tulkarm, Jenin and Tubas areas in the West Bank and against ‘all but essential travel’ to all other parts. Both politicians have condemned the Israeli authorities for refusing to give them access. But in a statement, the Embassy of Israel in the United Kingdom said: ‘The group was refused entry to Israel after failing to cooperate with border officials and providing false information about the purpose of their visit.’

The two politicians were part of a delegation organised by the Progressive International group, which also featured Labour MP Clive Lewis. The group said they were stopped while making the crossing from Jordan and had planned to undertake ‘a programme of meetings with Palestinian academics, students and civil society organisations’ as well as join the olive harvest following what it claims are ‘mounting attacks’ against farmers in the territory.

SNP MP Lara Bird was refused entry to the West Bank Green MSP Kate Nevens was also part of a delegation which was detained for eight hours by Israeli authorities Scottish Conservative deputy leader Rachael Hamilton said: ‘This posturing from Nationalist politicians is an insult to their constituents who expect their elected representatives to be doing their jobs at home. ‘Kate Nevens and Lara Bird should be focused on representing the people who elected them, not getting caught up in stunts overseas while both Holyrood and Westminster are sitting.’

Reform MSP Angela Ross said: ‘Kate Nevens is running away with the title of most out-of-touch MSP in Holyrood. She travelled to a conflict zone as part of a UK delegation against UK security advice and ended up detained. What did she hope to achieve? ‘Taxpayers already want to know whether a penny of public money paid for this self-indulgent act of protest tourism.’ Asked if British citizens should be attempting to travel to the West Bank, First Minister John Swinney’s official spokesman said: ‘I haven’t spoken to the First Minister about [it] but, in general, of course the First Minister thinks that people showing solidarity with the Palestinian people is something he would support.’

When asked about the claims that the group failed to co-operate with border officials and provided false information, Progressive International did not directly respond and instead forwarded a statement from Ms Bird. She said: ‘I came to stand alongside Palestinians being attacked for harvesting olives on their own land. Instead, we were turned away at the border with no reason given. ‘It is more important now than ever that we bear witness and show our solidarity.

But we were prevented from doing so. ‘If Israel has nothing to hide, why is it so determined to stop us seeing what is happening in the occupied West Bank?’ The Scottish Greens were also unable to provide a response from Ms Nevens. In an earlier statement, the MSP said: ‘Across the Edinburgh and Lothians East region that I represent, and all throughout Scotland, there are thousands of people who feel a deep sense of solidarity with the Palestinian people.’

She said that being detained was ‘frightening’ but that they were able to leave safely, and added: ‘What we experienced was only a small fraction of the terrifying reality Palestinians face when they try to cross the same border to reach their families or simply go about their lives. ‘Palestinians must not be abandoned or left to face these abuses in silence.’ A spokesman for Progressive International said they do not accept the claim from the Israeli Embassy.