David Lammy, the Foreign Secretary, has expressed his disappointment with Israeli authorities following the refusal of entry to two Labour MPs, calling the decision “unacceptable, counterproductive, and deeply concerning.” Abtisam Mohamed and Yuan Yang were denied entry due to their alleged intention to spread “hateful rhetoric” against Israel, as reported by Israeli media citing the Israeli population and immigration authority’s statement.
Lammy stated, “I have communicated to my counterparts in the Israeli government that this treatment of British Parliamentarians is unacceptable.” He also mentioned that the foreign office had reached out to both MPs to provide assistance and support during this situation.
Reports indicate that Yang, who represents Earley and Woodley, and Mohamed, representing Sheffield Central, arrived in the country from Luton airport on Saturday along with two aides. However, Interior Minister Moshe Arbel denied entry to all four individuals following an interrogation, as confirmed by the population authority according to the Times of Israel.
While Israel had not officially acknowledged the arrival as part of an official visit, the UK Foreign Office confirmed that the group was indeed part of a parliamentary delegation. Lammy emphasized the UK government’s focus on achieving a return to the ceasefire and initiating negotiations to bring an end to the conflict in Gaza and free the hostages, as stated in a press release. The BBC has reached out to the Israeli population and immigration authority for their response on the matter
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