Sinn Féin MEP Lynn Boylan has claimed the EU was "completely blindsided" after she was detained and deported upon arrival in Israel on Monday.
Boylan, who serves as Chair of the EU Palestine Delegation, was denied entry alongside French MEP Rima Hassan and other EU officials upon landing at Ben Gurion Airport, just outside Tel Aviv.
The delegation was en route to Palestine via Israel for meetings with Palestinian authorities, but was blocked from continuing their diplomatic visit.
Their photographs were taken and circulated on social media, and they were subjected to over 90 minutes of interrogation before being placed on a return flight to Belgium.
The delegation’s belongings were only returned upon arrival in Belgium.
Boylan also alleged data breaches during the detainment process and expressed concern for civil servants who were also refused entry.
The incident has sparked concerns within the EU, raising questions about Israel’s treatment of diplomatic delegations and access to Palestinian territories.
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Boylan, who serves as Chair of the EU Palestine Delegation, was denied entry alongside French MEP Rima Hassan and other EU officials upon landing at Ben Gurion Airport, just outside Tel Aviv.
The delegation was en route to Palestine via Israel for meetings with Palestinian authorities, but was blocked from continuing their diplomatic visit.
Boylan: Delegation Was Prevented from Doing Its Job
Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, Boylan stated that the delegation had followed protocol and that the trip had been flagged and approved months in advance.Passports and Devices Seized, Delegation Deported
Boylan revealed that EU officials had their passports, phones, and iPads confiscated upon arrival.Their photographs were taken and circulated on social media, and they were subjected to over 90 minutes of interrogation before being placed on a return flight to Belgium.
The delegation’s belongings were only returned upon arrival in Belgium.
Boylan also alleged data breaches during the detainment process and expressed concern for civil servants who were also refused entry.
The incident has sparked concerns within the EU, raising questions about Israel’s treatment of diplomatic delegations and access to Palestinian territories.
SF MEP Boylan refused entry to Israel during EU visit
Sinn Féin MEP Lynn Boylan has said that the EU was "completely blindsided" after she was detained yesterday upon entry to Israel.
