MP's group refused Israel entry

Dr Lynne Jones was among the nine-strong delegation

An MP and eight other British women have been deported from Israel while on a trip to build links between Ramallah and Birmingham.

Israeli authorities ordered them out of the country after they arrived at Tel Aviv airport from the Midlands.

In May 2005 some of the same group were refused entry to Israel.

It includes Birmingham Selly Oak MP Dr Lynne Jones, Yvonne Washbrook president of Birmingham Trades Council, and Respect party councillor Salma Iqbal.

The trip aimed to build links with women in the region following a number of fund raising efforts by Birmingham's Ramallah Twinning Committee.

'Develop links'

They were warned that they faced jail if they refused to get on a plane home.

Birmingham's Ramallah Twinning Committee chairman Kamel Hawwash said: "We are very shocked that this should happen again.

"The delegation's visit was discussed at length with the Israeli Embassy in London and details of the participants and their itinerary were provided to the embassy as requested.

"The women had gone to develop links between the citizens of Birmingham and the citizens of Ramallah and were due to meet Palestinian women and children's organisations.

"We had raised money for a children's library and nursery at a refugee camp in Ramallah and the women were due to check on the progress of these badly needed projects."

The women will fly back into Birmingham International Airport on Sunday evening.