Israel Denies Entry to International Delegation Supporting Palestinian Olive Harvest Amidst Escalating Violence

An international delegation comprising Members of Parliament and campaigners has reported being denied entry into the occupied West Bank by the Israeli military. The group, which included three British MPs and a member of the Spanish Senate, was traveling from Jordan via the Allenby/King Hussein Bridge crossing with the intention of supporting Palestinian farmers during their olive harvest. They had planned to offer solidarity to olive growers who are facing increased violence during this critical period.

The delegation of 23 individuals, organized by Progressive International, also had scheduled meetings with Palestinian students at Ramallah’s Birzeit University and leaders of civil society. Scottish National Party MP Lara Bird stated that the delegation was turned away without any given reason. Delegates represented various countries including France, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Greece, the Netherlands, and the US.

“Today I was denied entry into the West Bank, alongside other parliamentary colleagues from across Europe,” Ms. Bird shared on X. “We were held for eight hours, interrogated and ultimately prevented from crossing the border.” She further noted that the Israeli military did not provide a reason for their barring. “I came to stand alongside Palestinians being attacked for harvesting olives on their own land. Instead, we were turned away, with no reason given,” she added.

British Labour MP Clive Lewis reported a similar experience, stating he was detained for over eight hours, interrogated, and felt as though they had done something wrong. “We went to show our support for the Palestinian people and highlight the terrible injustice and violence being perpetrated against them,” he wrote on X.

Also denied entry were Scottish Greens MSP Kate Nevens, former Labour MP Sam Tarry, and Josu Estarrona Elizondo, a representative of the Basque EH Bildu party in the Spanish senate. The delegation's exclusion comes as settler violence in the West Bank intensifies, with attacks targeting Palestinian olive farmers, journalists, and activists who have come to offer support. According to UN data, at least 160 settler attacks on Palestinian growers were recorded in the first two weeks of October. Earlier this month, European diplomats and a French mayor were reportedly attacked in the West Bank while attempting to support farmers. Brad Lander, a Democrat candidate for Congress in New York, was among dozens detained last week for supporting olive farmers.

Israeli media has reported that Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz instructed officials to implement exclusion orders against activists intending to travel to support the Palestinian olive harvest.