Two British female MPs from the Labour Party were detained and denied entry by Israeli authorities on Saturday, accused of spreading anti-Israel rhetoric and attempting to document the activities of security forces, sparking a diplomatic row between London and Tel Aviv.
The MPs, Yuan Yang and Abtisam Mohamed, were part of an official parliamentary delegation when they flew into Israel from Luton Airport. Both were turned back shortly after arrival, with Israeli immigration authorities accusing them of intending “to document the activities of security forces and spread anti-Israel hatred,” according to a report by Sky News.
The MPs have not confirmed these claims. Yang represents Earley and Woodley, while Mohamed is the MP for Sheffield Central.
British foreign secretary David Lammy described the treatment of the MPs as “unacceptable, counterproductive, and deeply concerning.”
“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,” Lammy said in a statement on Saturday.
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.”
The detention and deportation of Yang and Mohamed have raised fresh questions about Israel’s stance towards foreign lawmakers, especially amid ongoing criticism of its military actions in Gaza.
Israeli forces resumed full-scale operations last month following the collapse of a brief truce with Hamas. Since then, the health ministry in Gaza says at least 1,249 people have been killed in renewed strikes. This brings the total number of Palestinian deaths since the conflict began to over 50,000.
The war began after Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1,218 people, mostly civilians, according to official Israeli figures reported by AFP.
The exact reason for the MPs’ visit is still unclear, but Israeli officials said the two planned to watch and film security forces.
The MPs, Yuan Yang and Abtisam Mohamed, were part of an official parliamentary delegation when they flew into Israel from Luton Airport. Both were turned back shortly after arrival, with Israeli immigration authorities accusing them of intending “to document the activities of security forces and spread anti-Israel hatred,” according to a report by Sky News.
The MPs have not confirmed these claims. Yang represents Earley and Woodley, while Mohamed is the MP for Sheffield Central.
British foreign secretary David Lammy described the treatment of the MPs as “unacceptable, counterproductive, and deeply concerning.”
“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,” Lammy said in a statement on Saturday.
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.”
The detention and deportation of Yang and Mohamed have raised fresh questions about Israel’s stance towards foreign lawmakers, especially amid ongoing criticism of its military actions in Gaza.
Israeli forces resumed full-scale operations last month following the collapse of a brief truce with Hamas. Since then, the health ministry in Gaza says at least 1,249 people have been killed in renewed strikes. This brings the total number of Palestinian deaths since the conflict began to over 50,000.
The war began after Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1,218 people, mostly civilians, according to official Israeli figures reported by AFP.
The exact reason for the MPs’ visit is still unclear, but Israeli officials said the two planned to watch and film security forces.
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