Two Labour MPs from the UK, Yuan Yang and Abtisam Mohamed, were recently denied entry to Israel and deported back to the UK. The incident occurred after they arrived in Israel from Luton Airport as part of what they claimed was an official parliamentary delegation.
According to the Israeli immigration ministry, the MPs were rejected entry based on suspicions that they intended to document the actions of Israeli security forces and promote anti-Israel sentiments. The ministry described their claims about the purpose of their visit as "false." Accompanying the MPs were two assistants, and during their questioning, they maintained that they were there for official parliamentary business.
The Israeli embassy in the UK stated that the MPs had previously accused Israel of making false claims and had called for a boycott, which contributed to their denial of entry. The embassy emphasized that it is Israel’s responsibility to prevent individuals who they believe intend to harm Israeli citizens from entering the country.
The situation has drawn criticism from UK officials, including Foreign Secretary David Lammy. He expressed concern over the treatment of the MPs, labeling it "unacceptable." Lammy stated that he had communicated with the Israeli government about the incident and offered support to the detained MPs.
This incident highlights ongoing tensions between certain UK politicians and the Israeli government, particularly regarding criticisms of Israel’s policies and actions. The UK government continues to focus on resolving conflicts in the region, with an emphasis on achieving a ceasefire and negotiations to address the ongoing violence.