Two Labour MPs expressed their shock at being denied entry into Israel after being detained upon arrival. Abtisam Mohamed and Yuan Yang emphasised the importance of parliament members being able to “experience firsthand the situation in the occupied Palestinian territory.”
They were turned away because authorities claimed they aimed to “spread hate speech” regarding Israel and its population, according to the nation’s immigration authority.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy condemned the actions of Israeli authorities, labelling them as “unacceptable, counterproductive, and deeply concerning.”
On Saturday afternoon, Yang, representing Earley and Woodley, and Mohamed, representing Sheffield Central, travelled to Israel from London’s Luton Airport with two aides.
The Israeli immigration authority said that Interior Minister Moshe Arbel had denied entry for all four individuals after questioning, alleging they were travelling to “document the security forces.”
While the UK Foreign Office stressed that the group was part of a parliamentary delegation, Israeli immigration authorities disputed it, claiming no Israeli official had recognised the delegation.
The MPs maintained that the trip was arranged with UK charities that have been experienced in organising parliamentary delegations for over a decade.
Lammy said that the Foreign Office had contacted both MPs to provide support.
Yang and Mohamed, elected for the first time in 2024, have taken multiple actions in Parliament regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict.
