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UK Parliamentarians Denied Entry to Israel Amidst Diplomatic Row
In a move that has sparked diplomatic tension, two Labour Members of Parliament (MPs) have expressed their “astonishment” after being barred from entering Israel. Abtisam Mohamed and Yuan Yang were detained upon arrival and subsequently denied entry, leading to criticism from the UK Foreign Office and raising concerns about access to the occupied Palestinian territory for international observers.
MPs Detail “Astounding” Denial of Entry
MPs Mohamed and Yang stated it was “vital” for parliamentarians to have the ability to “witness, firsthand, the situation in the occupied Palestinian territory.” They arrived in Israel on Saturday afternoon, travelling from London Luton Airport with two aides. However, they were promptly detained and eventually refused entry by Israeli authorities.
Israel Accuses MPs of Intention to “Spread Hate Speech”
The Israeli Population and Immigration Authority asserted that Interior Minister Moshe Arbel made the decision to deny entry to all four individuals. The authority alleged that the MPs intended to “spread hate speech” against Israel and its citizens. Furthermore, they claimed the delegation’s true purpose was to “document the security forces” operations.
Foreign Secretary Lammy Condemns Israeli Actions
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy delivered a sharp rebuke to Israeli officials, denouncing the denial of entry as “unacceptable, counterproductive, and deeply concerning.” Lammy’s strong words underscore the UK government’s displeasure with Israel’s actions and the implications for diplomatic relations.
Conflicting Accounts of Delegation Status
While the UK Foreign Office maintained that the group constituted a formal parliamentary delegation, the Israeli immigration authority disputed this claim. They stated that the delegation had not received official acknowledgment from any Israeli government body.
MPs Affirm Trip Organized with Experienced Charities
The MPs countered the Israeli assertion, stating the trip was organized in collaboration with UK charities possessing “over a decade of experience in taking parliamentary delegations” to the region. This suggests a pre-planned and structured visit, contradicting the notion of an unauthorized or clandestine operation as implied by Israeli authorities.
MPs Defend Right to Speak Truthfully on Israel-Palestine Conflict
In a joint statement, Mohamed and Yang emphasized their role as parliamentarians who have voiced concerns in the House of Commons regarding the Israel-Palestine conflict and the necessity of adhering to international humanitarian law. They asserted, “Parliamentarians should feel free to speak truthfully in the House of Commons, without fear of being targeted,” highlighting concerns about freedom of speech and potential repercussions for critical voices.
Resolution and Aftermath
An Interior Ministry spokesperson confirmed that the MPs departed the country by 06:00 local time (04:00 BST) on Sunday. Foreign Secretary Lammy confirmed the Foreign Office’s outreach to both MPs to provide support. He reiterated to his Israeli counterparts that “this is no way to treat British parliamentarians,” emphasizing the UK’s stance on the incident.
MPs’ Previous Stances on Israel-Hamas Conflict
Both Yang and Mohamed, elected in 2024, have been vocal on the Israel-Hamas conflict in Parliament. Their previous interventions provide context to the current situation and likely contributed to the Israeli authorities’ perception of their intentions.
Mohamed’s Advocacy for Palestinian Rights
In February, MP Mohamed spearheaded a cross-party letter, endorsed by 61 parliamentarians, advocating for a ban on goods originating from Israeli settlements in Palestinian territory. This action cited an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Furthermore, she has publicly criticized Israel for obstructing humanitarian aid to Gaza, invoking international law’s prohibition of “starvation of civilians as a method of warfare.” She also referenced humanitarian organizations’ allegations of “ethnic cleansing” in Gaza during a House of Commons address in October.
Yang’s Calls for Sanctions and Focus on Humanitarian Concerns
MP Yang, in January, spoke in favor of imposing sanctions on Israeli ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich following their controversial suggestions to construct Israeli settlements in northern Gaza to encourage Palestinian displacement. Additionally, she has drawn attention to the perilous circumstances faced by journalists and medical personnel within the Palestinian territory, indicating a consistent focus on human rights and humanitarian issues within the conflict.
Context of West Bank Tensions and Gaza Conflict
The backdrop to this diplomatic incident includes ongoing tensions in the West Bank, marked by protests, violent episodes, and raids by Israeli forces. Reports indicate hundreds of fatalities in the West Bank amidst the Gaza war. Israeli military operations in the occupied Palestinian territory continue, with recent reports of Palestinian deaths. The ongoing war commenced on October 7, 2023, following a Hamas attack on Israel, resulting in approximately 1,200 deaths and the capture of 251 hostages.
Gaza Casualties and Ceasefire Efforts
According to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry, the conflict has resulted in over 50,000 fatalities. They report 1,309 deaths since the breakdown of a previous ceasefire on March 18. Foreign Secretary Lammy reiterated the UK government’s priority: “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.” This highlights the broader diplomatic efforts underway to de-escalate the Israel-Hamas conflict despite this recent setback in UK-Israel relations.