Decision to refuse entry to members of an official delegation of the European Parliament, including the delegation Chair and Parliament administration staff, constitutes an attack on the institutions of the European Union
Two MEPs and two members of the European Parliament administration staff were refused entry to Israel today, despite travelling as part of an organised mission on behalf of the European Parliament Delegation for Relations with Palestine. Lynn Boylan, who is Chairperson of the European Parliament Delegation, and Rima Hassan were both refused entry to Israel at Ben-Gurion airport earlier today. It is understood that two members of the European Parliament administration, not tied to any political group, were also refused entry.
Left MEP Lynn Boylan (Sinn Fein, Ireland), Chair of the European Parliament delegation for relations with Palestine, 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”.”
Left MEP Rima Hassan (La France Insoumise, France) said: “The State of Israel clearly wants to prevent elected representatives from witnessing the extent of the human rights violations it commits on the ground. This decision to hinder members of parliament in the exercise of their duties is yet another consequence of the impunity Israel enjoys. We will continue to denounce and push for sanctions against the State of Israel as long as it violates the rights of Palestinians.”
The Left 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. This latest incident comes as the EU-Israel Association Council takes 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.
