The Rev. Edward Phillips leads a multifaith delegation denied entry to Israel for visiting the West Bank

The group, which included United Methodists, Christians, Jews, and Muslims, planned to tour the West Bank and East Jerusalem with the Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center. Israeli border agents refused the group admission at the Sheik Hussein Bridge, citing "prevention of illegal immigration considerations" as the reason for the denial. The group was barred from returning to the country for up to 10 years. Members of the delegation argued that the denial violated the terms of the U.S. visa waiver program and alleged that Israeli authorities were seeking to prevent foreign visitors from observing conditions in Palestinian territories. The Rev. Edward Phillips described Sabeel as a nonviolent resistance organization. While critics have alleged that the organization employs antisemitic themes, the Rev. Edward Phillips defended the group's mission. The U.S. State Department stated that the government seeks equal treatment and freedom of travel for all U.S. citizens regardless of national origin, religion, or ethnicity.