Israeli police officers aimed guns at two British MPs in West Bank
Independent Alliance MP Shockat Adam and LibDem Andrew George were watching settlers grazing livestock when armed settlers and soldiers approached them on April 15.
Speaking at a press conference in London, Adam (below) said: 'We were witnessing settlers, who were already armed, grazing their sheep and their cows on land that did not belong to them.
(Image: NQ)
'While we stopped to observe this, a police car came hurtling towards us and I think there's some images of the police officers who came out pointing guns at us, hands on the trigger.'
Adam said that guns were lowered after their local guide explained who he and George were, adding: 'But their hands were still on the trigger.'
The Leicester South MP said this was a 'daily occurrence' in the West Bank and told how he and George were staying with a man whose house was surrounded by others which had been 'taken over' by Israeli settlers.
READ MORE: Aid workers describe Gaza as 'stuff of nightmares' as vital supplies denied by Israel
He said that two settlers attempted to pressure their host into giving them his house in Hebron, allegedly telling him: 'You might as well give us this house, because we're going to take it anyway.'
Adam added: "We saw first-hand aggressive Israeli colonisers, it was absolutely shocking to experience.
"What was really alarming and what interested me, was many of these Israeli colonisers or settlers not only work with the protection of armed police, they seemed to be working in collaboration with armed police."
Adam also told how he witnessed Israelis intimidating people of different faiths at sacred sites in Jerusalem, including Palestinian Christians worshipping at Easter.
(Image: Daniel Bone)
Elsewhere, George (above), the MP for St Ives, said that he had briefly been detained at Ben Gurion Airport while entering Israel, though was eventually allowed into the country.
It comes after two Labour MPs, Yuan Yang and Atisam Mohamed, were denied entry to Israel after criticising the country's government.
This was condemned by Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who said it was "unacceptable, counterproductive, and deeply concerning" for MPs to be treated as they had.
George argued that Israeli settlers illegally occupying the West Bank were more accurately described as "intruders or evictors".
He said that he could sympathise with those who argued that a two-state solution, the official policy of the UK Government, was a "waste of political energy".
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Western Telegraph
31 minutes ago
- Western Telegraph
Residents line streets to welcome home Israeli-American hostage
Hundreds of cheering supporters, many waving Israeli flags and holding 'Welcome Home Edan' signs, lined the streets of Tenafly to greet his passing vehicle. A smiling Mr Alexander held his arm out the passenger-side window to wave and touch the hands of people in the crowd. The militant group Hamas released Mr Alexander, 21, on May 12 after 584 days. He has been in Israel since he was freed. Thursday marked his first trip home to Tenafly, the suburb of New York City where he grew up and where his family still lives. People in Tel Aviv watch a live broadcast of Israeli-American soldier Edan Alexander's release from Hamas captivity (Oded Balilty/AP) Mr Alexander was 19 when militants stormed his base in Israel and dragged him into the Gaza Strip. He was among the 251 people taken hostage in Hamas' attack on October 7 2023. Mr Alexander moved to Israel in 2022 after finishing high school and enlisted in the military. Since his capture, there's been a huge outpouring of support for him in Tenafly, located in a county with a large Jewish and Israeli-American population. The community held regular walks to raise awareness about him and the other hostages. Many gathered in May to celebrate his release. 'Edan's return is the return of everybody's child, every organisation, every family, every Israeli family, and non-Israeli, and non-Jews,' Orly Chen, a Tenafly resident, told CBS News New York on Thursday.
Reuters
an hour ago
- Reuters
There are indications Israel breached EU agreement, bloc's foreign policy arm says
BRUSSELS, June 20 (Reuters) - The European Union's diplomatic service said on Friday there are indications that Israel has breached its human rights obligations under the terms of a pact governing its ties with the bloc, according to a document seen by Reuters. Citing assessments by independent international institutions, the European External Action Service said "there are indications that Israel would be in breach of its human rights obligations under Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement". The report comes after months of deepening concern in European capitals about Israel's operations in Gaza and the humanitarian situation in the enclave. "Israel's continued restrictions to the provision of food, medicines, medical equipment, and other vital supplies affect the entire population of Gaza present on the affected territory," the document said. The EU's top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, announced in May that the bloc would examine whether Israel is complying with the terms of its pact with the bloc, after over half of EU members backed conducting a review. Under the agreement, which came into force in 2000, the EU and Israel agreed that their relationship 'shall be based on respect for human rights and democratic principles". Israel has said that it respects international law and that operations in Gaza are necessary to destroy Hamas, the Palestinian group responsible for the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks on Israel. Israel's mission to the EU did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The new document includes a section dedicated to the situation in Gaza, covering issues related to denial of humanitarian aid, attacks with a significant number of casualties, attacks on hospitals and medical facilities, displacement, and lack of accountability. The report also looks at the situation in the West Bank, including settler violence. The document relies on "facts verified by and assessments made by independent international institutions, and with a focus on most recent events in Gaza and the West Bank," it said. The review was proposed in early May by Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp, who had raised concerns about Israeli policies 'exacerbating an already dire humanitarian situation'. EU foreign ministers are set to discuss the review during a gathering in Brussels on Monday. Member countries remain divided in their approach to Israel. While some ministers could advocate for moving toward taking action based on the review, no concrete decisions are expected at Monday's session. Diplomats expect EU officials will reach out to Israel with the outcome of the review in an effort to influence its behaviour, and that ministers will return to the subject during a meeting with July.
Rhyl Journal
an hour ago
- Rhyl Journal
Security review launched after Pro-Palestinian activists break into RAF base
Footage posted online by Palestine Action on Friday morning shows two people inside RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire. The clip shows one person riding an electric scooter up to an Airbus Voyager air-to-air refuelling tanker and appearing to spray paint into its jet engine. The incident is being investigated by counter terror police. Defence Secretary John Healey said he was 'disturbed' by the vandalism, while Sir Keir Starmer said it was 'disgraceful'. 'I am really disturbed that this happened and have ordered an investigation and a review of wider security at our bases,' Mr Healey said. 'These aircraft are used by our military personnel to support security and peace around the world. 'This action does nothing to support Gaza or our push for peace and stability in the Middle East.' Downing Street said security is being reviewed across the defence estate and that the Government is working closely with police. The act of vandalism committed at RAF Brize Norton is disgraceful. Our Armed Forces represent the very best of Britain and put their lives on the line for us every day. It is our responsibility to support those who defend us. — Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) June 20, 2025 A No 10 spokesman said: 'A full security review is under way at Brize Norton. 'We are reviewing security across the whole defence estate. 'We treat all breaches of security very seriously, and where there is suspected criminal activity, we will take the necessary steps to investigate and prosecute in line with longstanding principle.' He said the incident had not disrupted any planned aircraft movements or operations. A spokesman for the campaign group said: 'Despite publicly condemning the Israeli Government, Britain continues to send military cargo, fly spy planes over Gaza and refuel US/Israeli fighter jets. 'Britain isn't just complicit, it's an active participant in the Gaza genocide and war crimes across the Middle East. 'By decommissioning two military planes, Palestine Action have directly intervened in the genocide and prevented crimes against the Palestinian people.' RAF Brize Norton serves as the hub for UK strategic air transport and refuelling, including flights to RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus. A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: 'We strongly condemn this vandalism of Royal Air Force assets. We are working closely with the police who are investigating. 'Our Armed Forces represent the very best of Britain. 'They put their lives on the line for us, and their display of duty, dedication and selfless personal sacrifice are an inspiration to us all. 'It is our responsibility to support those who defend us.' Sir Keir said in a post on X: 'The act of vandalism committed at RAF Brize Norton is disgraceful. 'Our Armed Forces represent the very best of Britain and put their lives on the line for us every day. 'It is our responsibility to support those who defend us.' A Counter Terrorism Policing South East statement said: 'Specialist counter terrorism officers are working closely with officers from Thames Valley Police and the Ministry of Defence Police. 'Inquiries are ongoing to establish the exact circumstances.'
