Naz Shah MP reacts to being banned from entering Israel

Labour MP Naz Shah has reacted to her name being added to a list of a dozen British MPs being banned from entering Israel by the Israeli government, after the UK’s decision to impose sanctions on good produced in illegal West Bank settlements.

Israel announced the retaliatory measures after Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband accused the country of “turning a blind eye” to the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians living in the West Bank, who are increasingly under pressure to relocate from settlers.

He told Parliament that Britain will sanction goods and services from Israeli settlements – which are illegal under international law – in the occupied West Bank and set out an import ban on goods from illegal settlements in the occupied territories.

There’s also a ban on the advertising in the UK of illegal settlement properties and a new ban for arms licences and other exports that “materially contribute to the occupation”.

Israel retaliated by banning 12 British MPs from entering the country, including Bradford West MP Naz Shah.

Shah issued a statement calling the list of names ‘random and frankly bizarre’.

She said: “I have no idea how this list was compiled and, as many people who have already contacted me have said, the selection appears rather random and, frankly, bizarre.”

“What I am clear about, however, is the position I have consistently campaigned for over many years: the UK Government should take meaningful action to end trade with illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories, which are recognised as unlawful under international law.

“I am proud to support the UK Government’s actions today, taken in line with our international legal obligations.”