British MPs refused entry to Israel returning home

Two British Labour MPs who were denied entry to Israel are on their way home to the UK, a minister has said.

Yuan Yang and Abtisam Mohamed have said that they are "astounded" by the decision of the Israeli authorities to not allow them into the country.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy described the incident as "unacceptable, counterproductive and deeply concerning" and has spoken to his counterpart in Israel about the matter.

Chief Secretary to the Treasury Darren Jones said that the pair were held at the airport on arrival.

"They're now on the way home to the United Kingdom," Mr Jones added.

"But the Foreign Secretary has spoken to his counterpart in the Israeli government overnight to say that clearly, it's unacceptable for British members of parliament on a parliamentary delegation to be detained in that way."

Ms Mohamed and Ms Yang, were denied entry because they were suspected of wanting to "document Israeli security forces and spread hateful rhetoric against Israel", the population authority said according to The Times Of Israel.

The pair have 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".

In a statement this morning, Ms Yang and Ms Mohamed said it is "vital" that parliamentarians are able to "witness first-hand" the situation on the ground in Palestine.

They 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."

The message, shared on Ms Mohamed's social media, said they have "spoken out in Parliament in recent months" on the Israel-Palestine conflict, and "parliamentarians should feel free to speak truthfully in the House of Commons without fear of being targeted".

Ms Yang represents the constituency of Earley and Woodley, in Berkshire, while Ms Mohamed represents Sheffield Central.

Both were elected to Parliament last July.

Mr Lammy said he had "made clear" to his counterparts in the Israeli government that it is "no way to treat British parliamentarians".

Mr Lammy said on Saturday night: "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."

He added: "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."

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said that she is "not surprised" the MPs were detained.

Speaking to Sky News, Ms Badenoch said that "every country should be able to control its borders, and that's what Israel is doing, as far as I understand".

Asked whether the decision seemed "odd", Ms Badenoch added: "I'm not surprised."