Israel denies entry to two EU lawmakers, citing boycott support

Israel on Monday barred two European Union lawmakers, Lynn Boylan and Rima Hassan, from entering the country, citing Hassan’s alleged support for boycotts against Israel. Both were refused entry at Ben-Gurion airport and ordered to return to Europe.

Interior Minister Moshe Arbel accused Hassan, a French politician of Syrian origin, of promoting boycotts and making public statements against Israel. No specific reason was given for Boylan’s denial.

Boylan, chair of the European Parliament’s EU-Palestine delegation and a Sinn Féin member, criticised the move. “Israel is a rogue state, and this disgraceful move shows the level of utter disregard that they have for international law,” she said.

The decision comes after Israel recently passed a law barring entry to individuals who deny Hamas’ October 7 attack or support international prosecution of Israeli soldiers. The law expands an existing ban on those backing the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement.

Meanwhile, Israel’s foreign minister Gideon Saar, in Brussels for the EU-Israel Association Council meeting, defended Israel’s approach to criticism. “It’s OK as long as the criticism is not connected to delegitimization, demonization, or double standards,” he said.