Bird and Nevens say they were detained at West Bank crossing

SNP MP Lara Bird and Scottish Green MSP Kate Nevens said they were detained and interrogated for eight hours at the Allenby Bridge crossing before Israeli authorities refused them entry to the West Bank with an international delegation. Bird said the group had travelled from Jordan and was held at the crossing, which links Jordan with the occupied West Bank. The delegates were turned away and were expected to return to Jordan, according to reports published on October 26 and 27. The delegation, organised by Global Justice Now, planned to attend Progressive International’s Second Ramallah Congress, meet students at Birzeit University and join Palestinian farmers during the olive harvest. The congress was held in partnership with the university, according to reports about the itinerary. Other delegates included Labour MP Clive Lewis, former MP Sam Tarry and Josu Estarrona Elizondo, a member of Spain’s Senate representing EH Bildu. Nick Dearden, director of Global Justice Now, was also reported to have been detained. Bird said the group had been refused entry without a reason being given to them. Nevens also said she and the delegation were held and questioned for eight hours...