Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) October 26, 2026 – A press officer for The Left group in the European Parliament, Manus Carlisle, was deported by Israeli authorities after being detained for approximately eight hours at Ben Gurion International Airport. The deportation followed authorities citing his political activism, previous travel to the occupied West Bank, and opposition to Israeli policies, according to accounts provided directly to news agencies.
Arrival and Detention at Ben Gurion International Airport
Manus Carlisle stated that he and his partner were denied entry into Israel upon arrival at Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv. The couple had traveled to the region with the intention of participating in the olive harvest in the occupied West Bank as part of the Fa3za campaign. The initiative coordinates volunteers and solidarity efforts between Palestinian villages facing attacks, seeking to support local communities and help protect farmers during the olive harvest season.
Speaking to journalists, Carlisle noted that while they had anticipated encountering difficulties when entering the country, they were nonetheless surprised by the intensity of the experience. He described an extensive interrogation process during which Israeli border and security officials demonstrated detailed knowledge of their political backgrounds, historical travel records, and social media presence.
“They didn’t like the Irish passport, and they didn’t like that I had spent time in Bethlehem before. Eventually, we were told that they knew every demonstration we had ever been on, and every social media post we had ever made,”
Carlisle stated. He added that the couple had taken precautionary measures approximately one month prior to their departure by removing social media content relating to Israel in hopes of facilitating a smoother entry process.
Interrogation Findings and Official Statements
During the questioning, officials allegedly informed the travelers that their entry was refused because of their political stances. Carlisle recounted that after approximately eight hours of questioning, officials explicitly told them they were being denied entry because “you hate Israel.”
Following the conclusion of the interrogation, Carlisle and his partner were transferred to a deportation holding facility within the airport. During their time in the holding area, they encountered two other Irish citizens who had also traveled to the region to participate in the same olive harvest solidarity initiative. Carlisle stated that it became apparent to them that authorities were specifically monitoring individuals associated with these campaigns.
Context of the Fa3za Campaign and Regional Olive Harvest
The Fa3za campaign operates within the occupied West Bank, focusing on organizing international volunteers to assist Palestinian farmers during the seasonal olive harvest. Farming communities in the region frequently face logistical challenges, movement restrictions, and security incidents during agricultural periods. International solidarity initiatives aim to provide a protective presence for local harvesters, though foreign nationals attempting to join such efforts have periodically faced administrative scrutiny, questioning, and deportation by Israeli border control authorities.
The incident underscores ongoing tensions surrounding foreign nationals entering Israel and the occupied territories to engage in political activism, solidarity campaigns, or human rights observation. Israeli authorities maintain stringent border security protocols regarding individuals suspected of engaging in anti-Israel activism or participating in unauthorized demonstrations within the West Bank.
Further updates regarding diplomatic responses from European Union institutions or Irish consular services concerning the detention and deportation of European Parliament staff members are expected as additional details emerge from relevant authorities.
