An EU delegation, including Sinn Féin MEP Lynn Boylan, was denied entry into Israel and returned to Brussels after being held for interrogation. Despite traveling on an Irish diplomatic passport and informing Israeli authorities about their plans months in advance, Boylan and the delegation were met by security officials at Ben Gurion Airport. Their personal belongings, including phones and passports, were confiscated, and they were held for approximately an hour and 40 minutes with little information provided by the authorities regarding their detention.
When we landed in Tel Aviv Airport, we were met at the door of the plane by a number of security officials. They then took us to an interrogation room.
Each of our passports, phones and other electronic devices were confiscated by Israeli authorities when our flight landed at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv.
The trip had been flagged with the Israeli authorities months ago. At every point, the Israeli authorities were aware of my movements.
We were provided with very little information while we were held, and our passports were not returned until we were flown back to Brussels.
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