UK MPs detained by Israel over West Bank visit

Three UK lawmakers—SNP MP Lara Bird, Labour MP Clive Lewis, and Scottish Greens MSP Kate Nevens—were detained for eight hours by Israeli authorities while attempting to cross into the West Bank. The group, part of a Progressive International delegation, included ex-Labour MP Sam Tarry and a former Basque senator ^[1]. They were prevented from entering the territory and subjected to interrogation before being turned away.

Bird, representing Arbroath and Broughty Ferry, said the delegation aimed to stand with Palestinians harvesting olives on their own land ^[1]. She described the experience as a stark reminder of the daily struggles faced by Palestinians trying to cross borders for basic needs. Lewis, MP for Norwich South, said the group was made to feel as though they had done something wrong, despite having done nothing illegal.

The Israeli military announced the closure of all West Bank land crossings on Monday as part of heightened security ahead of Tuesday’s national elections—the first since the 7 October Hamas-led attack in 2023 ^[1]. The closures come amid escalating violence, including the recent displacement of around 2,000 Palestinian residents in Hebron after a street was flattened by bulldozers in retaliation for the killing of two Israeli soldiers.

Nevens described the detention as 'frightening' but confirmed the group left safely. She highlighted that their brief experience was only a fraction of the terror Palestinians endure daily when crossing borders ^[1]. Multiple attacks on Palestinians during the annual olive harvest have been reported in the run-up to the election.

The SNP said it was 'proud to stand with the Palestinian people' ^[1]. The Israeli embassy and the UK Foreign Office have been approached for comment.

One claim has been made that the group was detained due to political pressure rather than security concerns, according to ^[1].

What happens next remains unclear. The delegation’s planned advocacy work has been disrupted, and the political fallout from the detentions could influence UK-Israel relations. The story was first reported by BBC News.