London accuses Israel of deporting two British Labour MPs

British Foreign Minister David Lammy accused Israel on Saturday night to Sunday of deporting two Labour MPs – women, according to the press – upon their arrival at the airport of the Jewish state as part of an official visit.

“It is unacceptable, counterproductive and deeply concerning that two members of the British Parliament, as part of a parliamentary delegation to Israel, were detained and denied entry by Israeli authorities,” thundered the Foreign Secretary on X and in a statement from his ministry.

“I have made it clear to my counterparts within the Israeli government that this is no way to treat British parliamentarians with whom we are in contact and whom we support,” insisted Mr. Lammy. The minister reminded that “the U.K. government remains focused on resuming a cease-fire and negotiations to stop the bloodshed, as well as on securing the release of hostages and ending the conflict in Gaza.” No further details were provided by the British diplomatic service.

Citing a statement from the Israeli Ministry of Immigration reported by Sky News, The Guardian mentioned that the two MPs are Yuan Yang and Abtisam Mohamed, who were turned away at Ben Gurion Airport, near Tel Aviv, because they were suspected of wanting to “document the activities of the Israeli security forces and spread hatred against Israel.”

Last Wednesday, British Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs Hamish Falconer condemned Israel’s expansion of military operations in Gaza, expressing “deep concern” over the resumption of hostilities. “The policies of the British government and the Israeli government differ. These differences will persist until we find the path to a two-state solution,” said Falconer before the British Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee.

Londres dénonce la décision d'Israël de refouler deux députés britanniques travaillistes