Tel aviv: Israeli occupation authorities prevented a Greek trade union delegation from entering Palestine early Sunday, despite the delegation having received an official invitation from the Palestinian General Federation of Trade Unions to take part in a solidarity visit with the Palestinian labor movement.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency, the federation reported that Israeli authorities subjected the delegation members to questioning and interrogation and detained them for several hours at Tel Aviv Airport before denying them entry. The federation described the move as a violation of human rights and trade union freedoms, as well as a direct targeting of international relations between the Palestinian labor movement and its counterparts around the world.
In a statement, the federation strongly condemned the decision, stating it was part of Israel's policy aimed at isolating the Palestinian people and their national and trade union institutions from the international community. They emphasized that the move also seeks to prevent international delegations and solidarity groups from reaching Palestine, even though the delegation members hold European citizenship and enjoy freedom of movement guaranteed under international laws and agreements.
The federation called on the European Union, the international trade union movement, the International Trade Union Confederation, the International Labour Organization, and human and labor rights institutions to condemn such practices and pressure Israel to halt violations against international delegations and those standing in solidarity with the Palestinian people.