Two UK Labour MPs, Abtisam Mohamed and Yuan Yang, have said they were “astounded” after being denied entry to Israel on Saturday while en route to visit the occupied West Bank as part of a parliamentary fact-finding trip. Israeli authorities cited accusations that the MPs intended to “spread hate speech” and promote boycotts as grounds for refusal, reads a BBC report.
The Israeli Interior Ministry stated the decision was made by Interior Minister Moshe Arbel, alleging the delegation sought to document Israeli security forces and had engaged in campaigns targeting Israeli ministers. Both MPs were also accused of supporting international sanctions against Israel and promoting false claims, which the Israeli embassy in London said justified barring their entry during a time of war.
The MPs, who flew from London Luton Airport alongside two aides, said their trip was organized with UK charities experienced in taking MPs to Palestine, including Medical Aid for Palestinians and the Council for Arab-British Understanding. They described their aim as meeting with humanitarian organizations and witnessing conditions in the West Bank firsthand.
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy condemned Israel’s actions as “unacceptable, counterproductive, and deeply concerning.” He confirmed the Foreign Office had offered support and contacted Israeli officials to protest the decision. “This is no way to treat British parliamentarians,” Lammy stated, adding the MPs were simply exercising their democratic mandate to speak out on international humanitarian law.
The Labour MPs, both elected in 2024, have been vocal in Parliament about the war in Gaza and Israel’s treatment of Palestinians. Mohamed had previously led a cross-party letter calling for a ban on settlement goods, and both have spoken in favour of sanctions on far-right Israeli ministers.
Their denial prompted sharp political exchanges in the UK. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch defended Israel’s right to control its borders, calling it “significant” that some Labour MPs are unwelcome abroad. Her comments were denounced by Labour’s Emily Thornberry, who described Mohamed and Yang as “highly respected” and said Israel’s move was an “insult to Britain and Parliament.” Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey also criticised Badenoch’s response as “yet another complete shocker.”
The row comes amid heightened tensions as Israeli forces continue operations in Gaza and the West Bank. Since Hamas launched an attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, over 50,000 people have reportedly been killed in Gaza, with hundreds of deaths in the West Bank. The UK government maintains its position in favour of a renewed ceasefire and a diplomatic solution to end the bloodshed.
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
