Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch is facing criticism from various senior politicians after expressing support for Israel’s decision to block two UK Labour MPs from entering the country. Abtisam Mohamed and Yuan Yang had planned to visit the occupied West Bank to observe the situation firsthand but were prevented from doing so at the airport. Badenoch defended Israel’s right to control its borders, highlighting the significance of other countries rejecting entry to Labour MPs.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy condemned Badenoch’s remarks, labeling them as “disgraceful,” while Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey criticized her for displaying “unbelievably poor judgement.” Senior Tory MP Richard Fuller expressed concerns about the incident, stating that MPs on official trips should be welcomed in any country, emphasizing the importance of democracy. The Israeli immigration authority cited reasons for denying entry to all four passengers, accusing them of intending to document the security forces during their visit.
Badenoch initially made her comments during an interview on the BBC, where she defended Israel’s decision to refuse entry to the Labour MPs. She emphasized the importance of respecting a country’s borders and expressed her belief that parliamentarians should be able to travel freely without concerns about their intentions. The controversy surrounding Badenoch’s statements prompted further criticism from various politicians, including Foreign Affairs Committee chairwoman Dame Emily Thornberry, who expressed disbelief at Badenoch’s stance.
In contrast to Badenoch’s position, Tory MP Fuller supported the right of parliamentarians to travel to other countries, highlighting the importance of backing democratic principles and promoting free passage for MPs. He emphasized the role of parliamentarians in gathering information during official trips and sharing their findings with colleagues to enhance their understanding of global issues. Fuller underscored the challenges faced by democracies in the current political landscape, emphasizing the need to support and uphold democratic values in the face of threats
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