The Daily Star Ireland
Sinn Féin MEP Lynn Boylan has criticized Israel’s decision to deny her entry during an official EU mission to Palestine, describing the move as an “insult to all members of the EU.” Upon arrival at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv, Boylan, along with French MEP Rima Hassan and two senior civil servants, was detained, interrogated, and subsequently deported back to Brussels. The delegation’s objective was to engage in discussions with both Palestinian and Israeli officials to foster dialogue and constructive engagement.
Boylan expressed concerns over potential data breaches, noting that their passports, phones, and tablets were confiscated during detention. She emphasized the unprecedented nature of civil servants being barred from such missions and having their personal information publicly disseminated. Despite prior coordination and approval of the visit by the European Parliament and Israeli authorities, no official reason was provided for the refusal of entry.
In response, the Israeli government cited a law that prohibits entry to individuals who have publicly advocated for boycotts against the state. This incident has prompted calls from European leaders for a reassessment of diplomatic relations between the EU and Israel, emphasizing the need for accountability and adherence to international law.
