Two Labour MPs refused entry to Israel

David Lammy has blasted the 'unacceptable' detention of two Labour MPs who were refused entry to Israel.

The Foreign Secretary said it was 'unacceptable, counterproductive and deeply concerning' that Yuan Yang and Abtisam Mohamed were held and then deported.

The pair were rejected because of their plans to 'document the activities of security forces and spread anti-Israel hatred', according to Israeli officials.

Ms Yang and Ms Mohamed said they were part of a parliamentary delegation and planned to visit charity projects and communities in the West Bank.

In a joint statement, the MPs said they were 'astounded' by their treatment. 

Ms Yang, MP for Earley and Woodley, and Ms Mohamed, MP for Sheffield Central, flew to Israel from Luton Airport with two aides on Saturday afternoon, the BBC reported.

Israeli officials said all four passengers were denied entry after being questioned and the MPs left the country at 6am local time (4am BST) on Sunday.

Mr Lammy said: 'It is unacceptable, counterproductive and deeply concerning that two British MPs on a parliamentary delegation to Israel have been detained and refused entry by the Israeli authorities.

'I have made clear to my counterparts in the Israeli government that this is no way to treat British parliamentarians, and we have been in contact with both MPs tonight to offer our support.

The Foriegn Secretary added the 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'.

In a joint statement posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Sunday morning, Ms Yang and Ms Mohamed said: 'We're astounded at the unprecedented step taken by the Israeli authorities to refuse British MPs entry on our trip to visit the occupied West Bank.

'It is vital that parliamentarians are able to witness first-hand the situation in the occupied Palestinian territory.

'We are two, out of scores of MPs, who have spoken out in Parliament in recent months on the Israel-Palestine conflict and the importance of complying with international humanitarian law.

'Parliamentarians should feel free to speak truthfully in the House of Commons without fear of being targeted.

'We had come on an MPs' delegation to visit humanitarian aid projects and communities in the West Bank, with UK charity partners who have over a decade of experience in taking parliamentary delegations.

'We thank them, the staff at the British embassy in Tel Aviv, the British Consulate in Jerusalem, the Middle East minister and the Foreign Secretary for their tireless support.'

Israel's UK embassy said: 'Israel will not permit the entry of individuals who act against the state and its citizens, promote calls for its boycott, falsely accuse it or call for sanctions against its ministers and public officials.

'Today, in accordance with the law, two members of Parliament were denied entry to the State of Israel after accusing Israel of false claims, calling for a boycott, spreading lies and actively promoting sanctions against Israeli ministers while supporting campaigns aimed at boycotting the State of Israel.

'The visit was intended to provoke, harm Israeli citizens and spread falsehoods about them. It is Israel's responsibility to prevent the entry of such individuals (just as is the practice in the UK).'

Both Ms Yang and Ms Mohamed were elected to Parliament last July.