Over my lifetime, it’s been my privilege to visit Palestine on several different occasions. I’ve witnessed what Palestinians endure on a daily basis. This is the daily reality of apartheid, which dictates who can and cannot move freely.
This is how Israel’s occupation operates, denying any vestige of autonomy to the occupied. This is the daily rhythm of Palestinian life. In Gaza, the Israeli occupation controls most of what goes in and out.
Its illegal blockade has resulted in the mass starvation and displacement of Palestinians. As more and more people have woken up to the genocide in Gaza, Israel has also denied entry to UN investigators and international journalists – a transparent attempt to stop the world from finding out the full extent of the war crimes it has committed. Do not forget the thousands of Palestinian refugees, as well, who are still denied the right to return.
This is the real scandal. The Israeli government’s decision to ban me – and 10 other British MPs – from entry offered but a tiny glimpse into the authoritarianism that Palestinians are subject to every single day. I won’t lose any sleep over being condemned by Israel.
What I deplore is its despicable treatment of the Palestinian people. What I deplore is Israel’s denial of freedom of movement to thousands of Palestinians on a daily basis. What I deplore is Israel’s denial of entry to UN investigators and journalists, shielding itself from accountability for the crimes of apartheid, occupation and genocide.
What this ban is really about is preventing British MPs from visiting Gaza and the West Bank and stopping the world from seeing what is happening. The Israeli government’s decision tells us all we need to know. It tells us that Israel does not want the world to know the truth.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
