Foreign Secretary David Lammy has condemned Israeli authorities for denying entry to two British Labour MPs, Abtisam Mohamed and Yuan Yang, and detaining them upon their arrival in Israel on Saturday. Lammy described the move as “unacceptable, counterproductive, and deeply concerning,” adding that the UK Foreign Office had been in contact with the MPs to offer support.
According to Israeli media, the MPs, along with two aides, were refused entry because they were accused of intending to spread “hateful rhetoric” against Israel. The Israeli population and immigration authority stated that the MPs posed a potential threat to public order.
Lammy, who has been vocal on international diplomatic matters, expressed his dissatisfaction with the treatment of British parliamentarians. He said, “I have made clear to my counterparts in the Israeli government that this is no way to treat British Parliamentarians.”
Abtisam Mohamed, MP for Sheffield Central, and Yuan Yang, MP for Earley and Woodley, were part of a parliamentary delegation traveling from the UK. Despite the group’s official nature, the Israeli authorities reportedly did not verify the purpose of the visit and decided to deny entry following an interrogation by Interior Minister Moshe Arbel.
The UK Foreign Office confirmed that the group was indeed part of a parliamentary delegation, though it did not clarify the specific purpose of their trip. In a statement, Lammy emphasized the UK government’s ongoing commitment to securing a ceasefire and initiating negotiations to address the ongoing conflict in Gaza. He said, “The UK government’s focus remains securing a return to the ceasefire and negotiations to stop the bloodshed, free the hostages, and end the conflict in Gaza.”
The detainment of these MPs comes amid heightened tensions over the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict and has sparked debate over diplomatic conduct and the treatment of foreign officials.
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