UK MPs shocked after not being granted entry to Israel
Two UK MPs from the UK’s ruling Labour Party, Abtisam Mohamed and Yuan Yang, were not granted entry into Israel while travelling to visit the occupied West Bank, the BBC reported on April 6th.
The Israeli population and immigration authority said the MPs intended to “spread hate speech.” The visit had the objective of seeing various projects managed by humanitarian and development organisations that are active in the West Bank. The Israeli embassy in London said the MPs had promoted “sanctions against Israeli ministers.”
The UK Foreign Office confirmed that the MPs were part of a parliamentary delegation. UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy called the incident “unacceptable, counterproductive, and deeply concerning.” The MPs had reportedly informed the British consul general in Jerusalem about their visit.
Over 130 parliamentarians signed a letter urging the UK government to stop arms sales to Israel, as reported by The Guardian on March 27th 2024 and cited by Levantis.
Additionally, it was reported by the Middle East Eye on March 11th this year, that Labour MP Emily Thornberry raised concerns after a video of a UK parliamentary delegation’s visit to Israel was published online by Israel’s deputy foreign minister, Sharren Haskel.
The Israeli Interior Ministry confirmed the MPs left the country on April 6th.
BBC, Middle East Eye, The Guardian
