❗️Israel detains and bans US faith leaders from entering occupied West Bank – The Cradle

 ❗️Israel detains and bans US faith leaders from entering occupied West Bank

Interfaith delegates and religious leaders gathered in Atlanta to condemn occupation authorities for barring 13 US citizens attempting to visit the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, according to a report from The Christian Post.

The delegation, which included four United Methodist representatives alongside Christian, Jewish, and Muslim advocates, was detained and banned from returning for up to 10 years after trying to cross the Sheikh Hussein Bridge from Jordan on 13 August.

Organizers stressed that the action undermines the US visa waiver framework and exposes an ongoing strategy to block foreigners from witnessing conditions under Israeli occupation, noting that the group aimed to visit Taybeh, a Christian village encircled by occupation forces to shield it from persistent settler violence.

Retired Emory University theology professor and delegation leader Edward Phillips explained that the itinerary involved meeting nonviolent community networks and inspecting affected neighborhoods like Silwan. Describing his interrogation at the border, Phillips noted that border personnel questioned his group’s diversity and purpose before issuing entry bans under vague “prevention of illegal immigration considerations.”

He added that agents subjected them to prolonged detention and intimidating language, quoting an official who stated, “This is what you deserve for lying to us. You came here to tell the world how badly we treat Christians.”

Azka Mahmood, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations in Georgia, denounced the incident as unjust and urged a formal federal investigation into the conduct of Israeli authorities. Meanwhile, Friends of Sabeel North America launched a congressional petition demanding accountability regarding the restrictions placed on faith and conscience delegates.

READ FULL ARTICLE: This article originally appeared on The Cradle

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