Israel on Monday barred two European Union politicians, Lynn Boylan and Rima Hassan, from entering the country, citing Hassan’s reported support for protest against Israel. Both were given a ban on entering the Ben-Gurion airports and given instructions to travel back to Europe.
Moshe Arbel, the Interior Minister, charged Hassan, a European politician of Arab descent, with encouraging strikes and making offensive remarks against Israel. No particular reason was given for Boylan’s neglect.
Boylan, head of the European Parliament’s EU-Palestine group and a Sinn Féin part, criticised the walk. She said that Israel is a renegade position, and that this disheartening move demonstrates how completely disregarding international law they have.
Israel just passed a law barring access to people who deny Hamas ‘ October 7 harm or support global trial of Israeli troops. The law expands an existing ban on those backing the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions ( BDS ) movement.
However, Israel’s foreign minister Gideon Saar, in Brussels for the EU-Israel Association Council meeting, defended Israel’s method to criticism. ” It’s OK as long as the criticism is not connected to delegitimization, demonization, or double standards”, he said.
