During my life I have had the privilege of visiting Palestine on several occasions. I have seen with my own eyes what Palestinians experience every day. Endless checkpoint. Watchtowers manned by soldiers. Arbitrary arrests. Violent settlers. This is the daily reality of apartheid, which determines who can and cannot move freely. This is how the Israeli occupation works, denying the occupied any form of autonomy. This is the daily rhythm of Palestinian life. In Gaza, the Israeli occupation controls most of what enters and leaves the territory. The illegal blockade has caused mass starvation and displacement of Palestinians. As more and more people in the world have become aware of what is happening in Gaza and have labeled it as genocide, Israel has also denied entry to UN investigators and international journalists – an attempt opened to prevent the world from learning the full extent of the war crimes committed by him. We must not forget the thousands of Palestinian refugees who are still denied the right to return to their homeland. This is the real scandal. The Israeli government's decision to bar me and 10 other British MPs from entering the country gave us just a small example of the authoritarianism that Palestinians face every day. I I will not lose sleep over the fact that Israel condemns or criticizes me. What I condemn is the despicable treatment of Palestinians and the denial of their freedom of movement. What I condemn is the denial of entry to UN investigators and journalists, shielding the Israeli authorities from responsibility for crimes related to apartheid, occupation and genocide. In fact, this ban is about preventing British MPs from visiting Gaza and the West Bank and stopping the world to see what is happening there. 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. It shows us that Israel is resorting to increasingly absurd and desperate measures, while losing support around the world. Above all, it shows us that we must not give up our quest to seek the truth, responsibility and justice. Israel took the decision to ban us in response to the British government's welcome decision to impose sanctions on goods produced in illegal settlements. International law is clear. In July 2024, the International Court of Justice ruled that Israel's presence in the Palestinian territories was illegal and imposed obligations on the UK not to aid or abet this illegal presence. The ban on goods from the settlements is a measure that is long overdue. It reflects the growing opposition to state-sponsored violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians in the Occupied Territories. The hysterical reaction of those opposed to the move shows the degree of impunity Israel has enjoyed until now. Ultimately, this decision is a first step towards the British government finally fulfilling its legal obligations. But these obligations go beyond not supporting illegal settlements. Any meaningful sanctions package must recognize that so-called "settlement goods" are integrated into the broader Israeli economy. This means ending all trade and any form of support that helps maintain the illegal presence of Israel as a whole. I am also reiterating my demand that the British Government recognize genocide in Gaza, end all military cooperation with it, including selling components for F-35 jets and conducting surveillance flights over Gaza, and heed my repeated calls for a public inquiry into our complicity in that crime. The Israeli government may ban me from entering the country, but it cannot stop me from telling the truth: they committed genocide and I will not stop fighting for justice for the Palestinian people. When we talk about Palestine, we often highlight the horror stories. But during my visits to Palestine I have also experienced the humanity, music, art, poetry, joy and resilience of the Palestinian people. I have no interest in making a visit organized by the Israeli government to see apartheid. What remains unshaken is my determination to fight for the only path to peace: the end of the occupation. Many years have passed since my last visit to Palestine. But despite all that Israel can do to frighten us and drive us into silence and despair, I have not lost hope that one day I can return to meet the children I once knew – in a free and independent. tesheshi.com

Source: prizrenpost