UK MPs detained and deported Israel during official visit, foreign secretary calls it ‘unacceptable’ | World News
UK Labour Party MPs, Yuan Yang and Abtisam Mohamed, were detained and deported Israeli authorities upon arrival at Ben Gurion Airport on Saturday. They had travelled from Luton with two aides as part of a parliamentary delegation.
According to statements cited Sky News and Politics UK, Israeli immigration officials claimed the group planned to “document the activities of security forces and spread anti-Israel hatred.” All four were denied entry following an interrogation ordered Interior Miner Moshe Arbel.
While Israeli officials reportedly said the visit had not been verified as an official one, the UK Foreign Office confirmed the group was part of a formal parliamentary delegation.
Story continues below this ad
Lammy: ‘Unacceptable and deeply concerning’
British Foreign Secretary David Lammy condemned the move. Lammy said, “It is unacceptable, counterproductive, and deeply concerning that two British MPs on a parliamentary delegation to Israel have been detained and refused entry the Israeli authorities.”
He added, “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.”
Focus on ceasefire and conflict resolution
Lammy also reiterated the UK’s focus on diplomacy amid the ongoing war in Gaza. “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.”
Israel resumed intense military operations in Gaza after a brief truce ended last month. According to the health minry in Hamas-run Gaza, 1,249 people have been killed since the renewed offensive, pushing the total death toll to 50,609.Story continues below this ad
The conflict was sparked the 7 October 2023 Hamas attack, which resulted in 1,218 deaths in Israel, mostly civilians, according to AFP figures based on official Israeli data.
(With inputs from BBC and The Guardian)
© IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd
Expand
