Two British lawmakers denied entry to Israel return home, criticise decision
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British MPs Abtisam Mohamed and Yuan Yang were refused entry to Israel on the grounds that they would provoke anti-Israel activities.
PHOTO: ABTISAM_MOHAMED/X, YUANFENYANG/X
LONDON – Two British MPs who were refused entry to Israel have returned to London after attempting to visit the West Bank on a fact-finding trip, they said on April 6.
Ms Abtisam Mohamed and Ms Yuan Yang from Britain’s governing Labour Party were travelling as part of a parliamentary delegation, but were stopped at the border on the grounds that they intended to provoke anti-Israel activities, according to the Israeli Embassy in Britain.
The blocking of their visit marks the latest in a series of attempts by Israel to restrict entry of foreign lawmakers and dignitaries who have criticised the country’s policies.
Ms Mohamed and Ms Yang, in a joint statement, said: “We’re astounded at the unprecedented step taken by the Israeli authorities to refuse British MPs entry on our trip to visit the occupied West Bank.
“It is vital that parliamentarians are able to witness, first-hand, the situation in the occupied Palestinian territory.”
The Israeli Embassy in London said the Interior Ministry had a duty to prevent entry to people who intended to cause the state harm.
The embassy said: “These individuals had accused Israel of false claims, were actively involved in promoting sanctions against Israeli ministers and supported campaigns aimed at boycotting the state of Israel.”
In their statement on April 6, Ms Mohamed and Ms Yang said they had spoken out in Britain’s Parliament about the conflict between Israel and Palestine and the importance of complying with international law.
“Parliamentarians should feel free to speak truthfully in the House of Commons, without fear of being targeted,” they said.
In November 2024, Ms Mohamed asked Britain’s government if it would review its relationship with Israel in light of “atrocities taking place in Gaza, the West Bank and in Lebanon”.
Ms Yang had told Parliament that it was important Britain proceeded with sanctions against Israeli government officials.
British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said the detention of the lawmakers, Ms Mohamed and Ms Yang, was no way to treat parliamentarians.
Israel has previously stopped members of the European Parliament and US Congress from entering the country.
In October 2024, Israel’s foreign minister said he was barring US Secretary-General Antonio Guterres
