Israeli authorities on Monday confirmed they had barred two Swedish members of the European Parliament from entering the country after they arrived intending to visit the occupied West Bank.
In a statement, Israel's Foreign Ministry said the decision was made at the request of Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar and in accordance with Israeli immigration law.
The ministry identified the two politicians as Jonas Sjöstedt and Hanna Gedin, both members of Sweden's Left Party.
"Following a request by Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar, and in accordance with Israeli law regarding entry into Israel, the Population and Immigration Authority yesterday denied entry into Israeli territory to two Swedish MEPs from the Left Party, Jonas Sjöstedt and Hanna Gedin, who wished to visit the Palestinian Authority," the ministry said.
Israel cites 'hostile positions'
Israel's Foreign Ministry accused the two MEPs of expressing "hostile positions" and promoting what it described as unfounded allegations against Israel.
According to the statement, the pair had accused Israel of genocide, starvation policies and deliberately targeting children and healthcare workers during the war in Gaza.
The issue comes after a UN-mandated international commission of inquiry accused Israel in June of targeting children in Gaza and again alleged that a genocide against Palestinians was taking place.
Israel strongly rejected those findings, describing the commission as a "defamatory masquerade" and accusing Hamas of using children as human shields.
MEP says visit focused on NGOs
Writing on Facebook on Sunday, Sjöstedt said he and Gedin had been prevented from entering Israel and continuing their trip to the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem.
He said the delegation had planned meetings with non-governmental organisations, including Save the Children, visits to refugee camps and discussions with Israeli and Palestinian human rights groups.
However, he stressed that no meetings had been planned with the Palestinian Authority.
According to Sjöstedt, representatives of both the European Union and Sweden protested the Israeli decision.
Swedish government responds
Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard said Sweden's embassy had provided assistance to the two MEPs.
She added, however, that every country has its own rules governing entry.
Stenergard also noted that Sweden has travel advisories in place regarding visits to Israel and the Palestinian territories.
Asked about the purpose of the trip, she told the newspaper Dagens Nyheter that the decision to travel there was "a question they themselves must answer".
Palestinian criticism
The decision was criticised by Rawhi Fattouh, head of the Palestinian National Council, the parliament of the Palestine Liberation Organisation.
Fattouh described the move as an attempt to silence criticism of Israel's occupation and said it demonstrated disregard for international law and parliamentary immunity.
Similar case in 2019
The incident recalls a similar move by Israel in 2019, when it barred US congresswomen Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib from entering the country.
The pair, both members of the progressive wing of the Democratic Party, had planned to visit the occupied Palestinian territories but were denied entry because of their support for a campaign promoting a boycott of Israel, following a recommendation by then-US President Donald Trump.
