Two UK MPs detained by Israeli authorities over plans to 'spread anti-Israel hatred'

LAST UPDATE | 20 hrs ago

BRITISH FOREIGN MINISTER David Lammy has said it is “deeply concerning” that two British MPs have been refused entry to Israel.

It is understood that Labour MPs Yuan Yang and Abtisam Mohamed are the two parliamentarians involved.

Yuan Yang and Abtisam Mohamed were rejected because they were suspected of plans to “document the activities of security forces and spread anti-Israel hatred”, according to a statement from the Israeli immigration ministry cited by Sky News and Politics UK.

Yang, who represents Earley and Woodley in Berkshire, and Mohamed, the MP for Sheffield Central, both flew into Ben Gurion airport from Luton with two aides.

Israeli Interior Minister Moshe Arbel denied entry to all four individuals following an interrogation, the population authority said, according to the Times of Israel.

In a joint statement, the Labour MPs said they are “astounded” by the decision.

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Yang and Mohamed added that it is “vital” that UK politicians are able to “witness first-hand” the situation on the ground in Palestine.

They said they had made the trip with charity partners as part of an MPs’ delegation “to visit humanitarian aid projects and communities in the West Bank”.

The Foreign Secretary said that he had “made clear” to his counterparts in the Israeli government that it is “no way” to treat parliamentarians.

In a statement yesterday evening, the Foreign Secretary 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 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.”

Additional reporting by PA

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