WORLD : Israeli Troops Bar Western Envoys
JERUSALEM — Israeli troops today turned back seven Western European diplomats who tried to visit a curfewed West Bank village that has become a symbol of Palestinian resistance to Israeli rule.
The consuls general of Belgium, Britain, France, Greece, Italy, Spain and Sweden were stopped at a roadblock near Bethlehem on their way to visit Beit Sahour at the invitation of village Mayor Hanna al-Atrash.
“I think it is a mistake to prevent us going in,†British Consul General Ivan Callan told reporters. He said the diplomats were concerned about conditions in Beit Sahour, where Israeli authorities have carried out tax raids every day for the last two weeks.
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