Sinn Féin MEP Lynn Boylan has said that Israel’s refusal to allow MEPs to travel through Israel to Palestine, as part of an official European Parliament delegation, is an insult to all members of the EU.
The Dublin MEP, and chair of the European Parliament Delegation for relations with Palestine said:
“I was due to travel to Palestine today as part of an official European Parliament delegation, but was refused permission to travel by Israel, and deported.
“Israel’s blocking of MEPs and senior EU officials from travelling to Palestine is an insult to all in the EU.
“The EU is the largest donor of support to Palestine and its officials and elected representatives must be able to be on the ground in Palestine as part of this work.
“It’s particularly insulting that this happened on the same day that the EU itself held a series of talks with Israel as part of the EU-Israel association council, but MEPs and officials trying to travel through Israel were blocked and deported.
“The EU must respond to this disgraceful conduct by Israel.
“This is not only deeply insulting to EU leaders, but poses a real issue for the diplomatic relationship between the EU and Israel.
“European leaders must send a message to Israel and make it clear that they cannot continue to act without consequences.”
