A group of young Dundee Muslims en route to the city’s twin town Nablus to play football against refugee children have been denied entry to the occupied Palestinian territory by the Israeli authorities.
The group of 12 youngsters from the Dundee Muslim youth group YYI were stopped at the border with Jordan by the Israelis on Friday.
After seven hours of questioning they were sent back to Jordan.
Visits had been arranged to the Islamic Boys’ School, which is hoping to link with Craigie High School, and also to An Najah University to meet students there.
Their programme also included a meeting with the Nablus Youth Council, a football match with young people in Balata Refugee Camp as well as olive tree planting.
The Dundee Nablus Twinning Association convener Fraser Patrick said while such restrictions by the Israeli authorities are not unusual, the association was “very disappointed and disturbed” that this action has been taken against a youth group committed to developing constructive contact between young people and to developing awareness between people in Dundee and Nablus.
“At this time of considerable upheaval in the Middle East and North Africa, the aims of twinning associations, to promote and foster friendship and understanding between people, could not be more important,” he said.
“Those who are fearful of allowing this human contact and dialogue make building foundations for future peace, and the preservation of people’s human rights, impossible.”