Greece’s foreign ministry has lodged a protest with Israel after Israeli authorities denied entry to and deported a group of Greek trade union representatives who were traveling to the West Bank for meetings with Palestinian labor organizations.

In a statement, the ministry expressed dissatisfaction over the decision, saying the Greek citizens had been invited by the Palestinian side and were bound for Ramallah. It added that they had fulfilled all entry requirements and had declared the purpose of their trip to Israeli authorities.

The incident triggered criticism from opposition parties and labor organizations in Greece. The left-wing New Left party, who reportedly fielded a member as part of the delegation, condemned the move, while SYRIZA and the Hellenic Confederation of Labour (GSEE) also issued statements criticizing the deportations.

GSEE described the denial of entry and subsequent deportation from Ben Gurion Airport as unacceptable. SYRIZA called the action another provocative measure by Israel and said the delegation had scheduled meetings with Palestinian trade union organizations in the West Bank.

The latest dispute adds to a series of diplomatic frictions involving Greek citizens and pro-Palestinian activists over recent months. In May, Athens formally protested the treatment of Greek participants in the Global Sumud flotilla after Israeli authorities detained and later deported activists involved in an attempt to deliver aid to Gaza. Greek officials at the time condemned the handling of the activists and sought their prompt release, while the incident prompted wider diplomatic criticism across Europe.