British Politicians and International Delegates Barred from Entering West Bank

An international delegation consisting of 23 people, including British politicians, was barred from entering the West Bank. The group intended to meet Palestinian children, farmers, and civil leaders during the olive harvest season and participate in Progressive International’s Second Ramallah Congress.

According to reports published on October 26, 2026, the delegation was detained at the Allenby/King Hussein Bridge by Israeli forces for nine hours. The affected delegation included four elected representatives: Labour MP Clive Lewis, Scottish National Party MP Lara Bird, Scottish Greens MSP Kate Nevens, and former Labour MP Sam Tarry, alongside participants from France, Spain, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Greece, Holland, Ireland, and the US.

Delegation Experiences and Statements

• Detention and Interrogation: Clive Lewis described the experience to the Guardian as deeply unpleasant, stating that members were detained, taken aside, and shouted at during interrogations.
• Political Intent: Sam Tarry stated his belief that the exclusion was a political decision aimed at preventing international observation of conditions in the West Bank.
• Solidarity Aims: Lara Bird noted in a statement that the group was turned away at the border without any reason given while attempting to stand alongside Palestinians.

Broader Context and Verification

The exclusions took place amid reports of escalating violence and attacks on olive farmers, foreign press, and activists in the region. The UN aid coordination office recorded at least 160 Israeli settler attacks linked to the olive harvest in the first two weeks of October, frequently under the protection or with the participation of Israeli forces. Earlier in the month, Israeli media reported that Defense Minister Israel Katz had instructed officials to pursue exclusion orders against activists traveling to olive-harvesting areas.

Laila Hazaineh, a political coordinator for Progressive International, stated that the organization remains determined to engage with Palestinian communities despite the refusals of entry. The embassy of Israel has been contacted for comment.

Practical Implications

• Travelers and delegates planning visits to the West Bank face potential border restrictions and military checkpoints.
• Official updates and responses regarding entry policies can be verified through diplomatic channels and statements from participating organizations such as Progressive International.