Question
Just over a year ago, I and my hon. Friend the Member for Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket (Dr Prinsley) were detained and then deported by Israeli authorities as we tried to enter the west bank. Yesterday, my hon. Friend the Member for Norwich South (Clive Lewis), the hon. Member for Arbroath and Broughty Ferry (Lara Bird), and the former MP Sam Tarry were similarly detained by Israeli authorities for eight hours while they tried to enter the west bank. Will the Secretary of State join me in condemning these cases and outline what steps the Government will take to ensure that MPs can visit the occupied west bank without obstruction or intimidation?
Answer
I am glad that my hon. Friend has raised this case, because we are obviously deeply concerned about the denial of entry to the west bank to two Members of Parliament and, I believe, one Member of the Scottish Parliament. Of course, we have raised this issue with the Israeli authorities and been in touch with those MPs to offer assistance. More broadly, it is very important that as Members of this House go about their business—not just in the UK, but internationally—they have free access, so that they can do their duties to this House.
Verdict: AMBER (56/100)
The reply gives a clear account of the action taken on the second part of the question: the Government says it has raised the matter with the Israeli authorities, has offered help to the MPs, and states that Members should have free access to carry out their duties abroad. On the first part, about the denial of entry and deportation of the two MPs and one MSP, it expresses being 'deeply concerned' but never says whether it condemns the detention and deportation, so that point is only partly answered and in hedged terms. A member of the public would learn what the Government has done but not its clear position on the detention itself, so a follow-up question on that point is likely.
How we got there
| Question item | Coverage | Specificity | Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Will the Secretary of State condemn the detention and deportation of MPs and a former MP by Israeli authorities while trying to enter the West Bank? | Partially Addressed | Hedged | The reply engages with the denial of entry to the two MPs and one MSP and says the Government is 'deeply concerned', but it never states whether it condemns the detention and deportation, and it neither condemns nor clearly declines to do so. |
| What is the Government doing to ensure that MPs can visit the occupied West Bank without obstruction or intimidation? | Addressed | Direct | The reply names concrete action taken, saying the Government has raised the issue with the Israeli authorities and has offered assistance to the MPs, and it affirms that Members should have free access to carry out their duties internationally. |