Fury as two Labour MPs denied entry to Israel - 'astounded' and 'unprecedented'

Two Labour MPs have said they are “astounded” after being denied entry to Israel.

Abtisam Mohamed and Yuan Yang have said it is "vital" that parliamentarians are able to "witness first-hand" the situation on the ground in Palestine. On Saturday evening said it was "deeply concerning" that they had not been allowed into the country.

In a joint statement posted on X on Sunday, Ms Mohamed and Ms Yang said: "We're astounded at the unprecedented step taken by the 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."

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The statement, shared on Ms Mohamed's X page, 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 without fear of being targeted". 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".

Ms Yang represents the constituency of Earley and Woodley, in Berkshire, while Ms Mohamed represents Sheffield Central. Both were elected to Parliament last July.

The Foreign Secretary said he had "made clear" to his counterparts in the Israeli government that it is "no way to treat British parliamentarians". In a statement on Saturday evening, Mr Lammy said: "It is unacceptable, counterproductive and deeply concerning that two British MPs on a parliamentary delegation to 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."

Dame Emily Thornberry, chairwoman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, said the treatment of two MPs who were denied entry to Israel was "badly advised" and "an insult to Britain". She said Israel would "rue the day that they did this to British parliamentarians".

She told the BBC's Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme: "These are two young women who are potential leaders. They are highly respected parliamentarians, and Israel is badly advised to try to alienate them, to humiliate them, and to treat them in this way because people listen to what these two young women say, and they will do for decades to come.

"And in my view, Israel really needs to start making friends as opposed to alienating people in this way. I think that it's an insult to Britain and I think it's an insult to Parliament."

Dame Emily added: "I think that they will rue the day that they did this to British parliamentarians. This is the first time that they've ever refused MPs access to the country. If Israel has something to hide, then that would be a terrible thing but frankly, they should be open to parliamentarians going to see what is actually happening on the ground."

Meanwhile has said she is "not surprised" that two Labour MPs were denied entry to Israel. Speaking on Sky News's Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips programme, the Tory leader said: "I think that every country should be able to control its borders, and that's what Israel is doing, as far as I understand.

"They gave reasons why they didn't believe that those people should come in based on their laws. And it's really important that we respect other countries enforcing their borders. Those Labour MPs, according to the Israelis, were coming in to do something that they were not allowed to do, and so I respect that decision." Asked whether it "seems a bit odd", Ms Badenoch added: "I'm not surprised."

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