Athens, Greece. Greece has lodged a formal protest with Israeli authorities after a delegation of Greek trade union representatives was denied entry to Israel and deported despite, according to the Greek Foreign Ministry, meeting all entry requirements and declaring the purpose of their visit. The ministry said on 21 June that the group had been travelling to Ramallah at the invitation of the Palestinian General Federation of Trade Unions.
Greek protest and ministry statement
The Greek Foreign Ministry said it expressed displeasure at the decision by Israeli authorities to deny entry to the delegation and expel its members.
Delegation members and detention
The delegation was detained for several hours at Tel Aviv Airport before being deported. Its members were Vangelis Kitsonis, President of the Panhellenic Union ICAP Outsourcing Solutions; Panagiota Lazaropoulou, President of the National Bank Employees’ Association; Antonis Ntalakogeorgos, President of PENEN, the Panhellenic Union of Merchant Navy Sailors; Nikos Pelekoudas, President of SEFK, a sectoral union of private education workers; and Michalis Rizos, a board member of the Attikon Hospital Workers’ Union.
Statement from delegation member
Dr Michalis Rizos said all members of the delegation had the necessary documentation. He said the deportation confirmed, in his account, that the area was under military occupation, that the army had absolute control and that visits by those showing solidarity with the Palestinian people were being barred.
Palestinian union response
The Palestinian General Federation of Trade Unions condemned the deportation and said the delegation had been subjected to interrogation and prolonged detention. It described the treatment as a violation of trade union freedoms and international law.
The federation called on the EU, the International Trade Union Confederation, the International Labour Organisation and international human rights organisations to condemn the practices and pressure Israeli authorities to end what it described as violations against international delegations.
Palestinian Foreign Ministry reaction
The Palestinian Foreign Ministry also condemned the move, describing it as an arbitrary and unlawful measure that violates international law and trade union freedoms.
Planned press conference
The deported delegation members are due to hold a press conference on Monday 22 June at 12:00 in Athens.