Two British lawmakers, who recently visited the Occupied West Bank to witness first-hand the conditions faced by Palestinians, described the situation as “absolutely heartbreaking and devastating”, urging the international community and their own government to take meaningful action to stop Israeli violations.

Shockat Adam, an independent MP for Leicester South, and Andrew George, a Liberal Democrat MP for St. Ives, travelled to Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and the West Bank last week on a fact-finding mission organised by the UK-based International Centre of Justice for Palestinians (ICJP).

Upon landing in Tel Aviv on 13 April, George was detained by Israeli security forces and subjected to questioning for approximately 45 minutes. His entry was allowed only after intervention from the British Embassy in Tel Aviv and Consulate in Jerusalem.

Throughout their time in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Adam and George encountered several stark reminders of the daily hardships Palestinians face.

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While visiting Masafer Yatta in the southern West Bank, the MPs were directly confronted by armed Israeli settlers. They also witnessed hundreds of settlers storming the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound.

The MPs’ visit occurred only a week after Israel deported two other British lawmakers, Abtisam Mohamed and Yuan Yang.

In........

© Middle East Monitor