Deputy Leader of Wales Green Party detained en route to West Bank
10 July 2011
Pippa Bartolotti, Deputy leader of Wales Green Party has been detained in Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion airport on her way to a visit of the West Bank.
Pippa was taking part in the ‘flytilla' protest against Greece's blockading of a fleet of aid ships, preventing the supplies from reaching the deeply troubled people of Gaza.
Jake Griffiths, Leader of Wales Green Party, commented:
"We're immensely proud of Pippa for highlighting the terrible plight of people in the West Bank and Gaza, which continues to be occupied in violation of international law after several decades. She was part of an aid convoy last year which succeeded in breaking the blockade to deliver desperately needed supplies that are normally banned from entering Gaza.
"From what we know, Pippa was detained upon arriving in Tel Aviv on her way to Bethlehem to take part in a week of peaceful activities in protest against the continued blockade of Gaza. There does not appear to be any grounds for her being detained, as travelling to the West Bank is meant to be permitted for British citizens.
"She should be allowed to complete her journey to the West Bank to take part in the peaceful events planned. Despite this, we understand she is likely to be returned to the UK this week. Reports from Israel are unclear at the moment, but we hope she is being treated well.
"Israeli authorities should realise that the world remain appalled by the conditions people are forced to put up with in the occupied territories, and people like Pippa will continue to highlight their plight."
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