Israel on Monday (February 24, 2025) denied entry to two European Union lawmakers, accusing one of promoting boycotts of the nation.
Lynn Boylan, who chairs the European Parliament EU-Palestine delegation, and Rima Hassan have been refused entry at Ben-Gurion airport and ordered to return to Europe.
Interior Minister Moshe Arbel mentioned French politician Ms. Hassan has “consistently worked to promote boycotts against Israel in addition to numerous public statements both on social media and in media interviews.”
No causes have been instantly given for Ms. Boylan being denied entry.
Ms. Hassan was born in Aleppo, Syria, and, like Ms. Boylan, is a member of The Left group within the EU parliament. On Friday (February 21, 2025), The Left group referred to as for the speedy suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement – a pact that underpins their relations – given the International Court of Justice investigation into crimes dedicated towards Palestinians in Gaza.
Ms. Boylan mentioned she had deliberate to meet with Palestinian Authority officers, representatives of civil society organisations and individuals residing below Israeli occupation. Ms. Boylan is a member of the Sinn Fein social gathering in Ireland, which has been among the many most vocal nations in criticising the Israeli authorities over its therapy of Palestinians.
“This utter contempt from Israel is the result of the international community failing to hold them to account,” Ms. Boylan mentioned in a press release. “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.”
Israeli legislators handed a legislation this month that prohibits entry to individuals who have denied Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, assault or expressed help for the worldwide prosecution of Israeli troopers.
The legislation, which applies to non-citizens and non-residents of Israel, builds on earlier laws that denied entry to anybody calling for a boycott of Israel. The legislation additionally bans the entry of Holocaust deniers.
The unique legislation was seen by opponents as an try by Israel to silence critics. It was used on a number of events to bar entry to activists who help the Palestinian-led boycott, divestment and sanctions motion, generally known as BDS.
Supporters painting BDS as nonviolent activism primarily based on an analogous marketing campaign towards apartheid South Africa. Israel views the motion as an assault on its very legitimacy and accuses some organisers of antisemitism, allegations they deny.
Ms. Hassan, who hails from the French hard-left France Unbowed, referred to as for a rally outdoors EU headquarters the place the assembly befell on Monday (February 24, 2025), and the place some protesters had gathered.
Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar was on a diplomatic go to to Brussels for the EU-Israel Association Council. The council doesn’t meet incessantly, and Monday’s (February 24, 2025) assembly was referred to as amid strain from Spain and Ireland to droop the discussion board over Israel’s actions in Gaza. Mr. Saar met with a number of European leaders in Brussels.
Earlier on Monday (February 24, 2025), Mr. Saar instructed reporters Israel was used to going through criticism and prepared to method all discussions with an open thoughts.
“It’s OK as long as the criticism is not connected to the delegitimisation, demonisation or double standards, which from time to time are things we see in the attacks against Israel,” he mentioned.
Published – February 25, 2025 08:58 am IST
