The Independent, on West Bank, 27 October 2026

3.0out of 10Minor

MPs and MSP claim they were denied access to West Bank

Tap a highlight to see why it matters.2 findings

Become an Independent member to bookmark this article Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Membership today. Join today Already a member? Log in Two MPs and an MSP have claimed they were detained for eight hours by Israeli authorities and denied access to the West Bank . Labour’s Clive Lewis and the SNP’s Lara Bird, along with Kate Nevens of the Scottish Greens, sought to access the territory on Monday as part of a delegation organised by political group Progressive International.

According to Progressive International, the group – which also included former MP Sam Tarry and Spanish Senator Josu Estarrona Elizondo – was 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 . In a post on X, Mr Lewis said: “For more than eight hours, we were held, interrogated and made to feel as though we had done something wrong simply by attempting to enter.

“The simple truth is we had done nothing wrong. “We went to show our support for the Palestinian people and highlight the terrible injustice and violence being perpetrated against them. “We want to ensure that people back home do not look away from the reality of what is happening. “Ultimately, we went to show solidarity. But we left with an even greater determination to speak out. “We will not be silenced, and we will not look away. None of us should.”

While Ms Bird – who was elected earlier this year to the Arbroath and Broughty Ferry seat on Scotland’s east coast – posted: “I came to stand alongside Palestinians being attacked for harvesting olives on their own land. Instead, we were turned away, with no reason given. “More than ever, Palestinians are being subject to terror and violence by the IDF and illegal settlers. “Increased blockades, demolitions and unthinkable violence have become the norm for Palestinians in the West Bank.

“It is more important now than ever that we bear witness and show our solidarity.” Green MSP Ms Nevens added: “We had travelled to the West Bank to stand in solidarity with Palestinians facing escalating violence, and to join the olive harvesters. “We went to bear witness, to listen to Palestinian communities and to help shine a light on the abuses taking place.

“The Israeli forces didn’t want us to see the demolished homes, or the settlers inflicting so much misery or the day to day indignities that are so central to the occupation.” The Foreign Office and Israeli embassy has been contacted for comment.

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What we found (2)

The Independent reports that two MPs and an MSP were held for eight hours and refused entry to the West Bank, and quotes them at length. It hedges the attacks on olive farmers as something Progressive International only "claims". It also adds a line, sourced to unnamed "reports", saying the MPs could have sought Israeli government permission, and puts nothing against it.

  1. Casts doubt on documented settler attacks

    Minor

    “following what it claims are “mounting attacks” against farmers in the territory”

    Why this matters
    The words "what it claims are" turn attacks on olive farmers into an assertion by an activist group. The paraphrase also names no attacker.
    The impression it gives
    A reader thinks the attacks on Palestinian farmers are an unproven allegation made by the delegation's organisers, with no known perpetrators.
    The context
    Other coverage of the same event states plainly that Palestinian farmers face escalating Israeli settler violence during the harvest. The Independent's own earlier reporting describes a surge of violence in the West Bank and a settler attack. Settlers operate armed by the Israeli state and accompanied by its army.

    How we know

    Show it in the article

  2. Unsourced insinuation that shifts blame

    Minor

    “Reports suggest the two MPs could have sought permission to access the West Bank from the Israeli Government.”

    Why this matters
    The Independent cites unnamed "reports" for the suggestion that the MPs could have asked the Israeli government for permission. It names no source and gives no response from the MPs. It places the line between the delegates' accounts as if it settled the matter.
    The impression it gives
    A reader thinks the MPs brought the refusal on themselves by skipping a simple permission route, and that Israeli approval is the proper way into the West Bank.
    The context
    Nothing in the article supports the claim. Ms Bird says they were turned away "with no reason given". The Israeli embassy had not commented. Other coverage reports that Labour MPs on an organised delegation, due to meet British diplomats, were also denied entry. A permission route is no guarantee of entry. The territory is under an occupation the ICJ has ruled unlawful.

    How we know

    Show it in the article

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