DayofPal– Israeli authorities have detained and deported two British Labour MPs upon their arrival at Ben Gurion Airport on Saturday, intensifying tensions between London and Tel Aviv amid ongoing international scrutiny over Israel’s genocide in Gaza.
Yuan Yang and Ibtisam Mohamed, members of the UK Parliament who were visiting the occupied West Bank on an official humanitarian fact-finding mission, were denied entry and expelled within hours of landing.
Israeli officials accused the pair of intending to document Israeli military operations and disseminate what they termed “anti-Israel propaganda.”
The decision, confirmed by Israel’s Ministry of Interior, followed direct interrogation by Interior Minister Moshe Arbel, who personally ordered their removal.
The move has triggered fierce condemnation from across the British political spectrum. The UK Foreign Office responded with swift and unequivocal criticism. Foreign Secretary David Lammy condemned the expulsions as “unacceptable, counterproductive, and deeply concerning.”
“This is no way to treat British parliamentarians,” Lammy said in a formal statement. “We’ve communicated our firm objection to Israeli authorities and are in direct contact with both MPs to ensure their well-being and offer support.”
Yang and Mohamed, who traveled as part of an official parliamentary delegation in coordination with humanitarian organizations, had planned to visit aid initiatives and Palestinian communities in the West Bank. In a joint statement issued following their return to the UK, they expressed disbelief and outrage at their treatment.
“We are astounded by this decision,” they wrote. “It is vital that elected representatives are able to witness the situation on the ground firsthand. We must be able to speak honestly and openly in Parliament without fear of retaliation.”
The incident has provoked sharp responses from within the UK Parliament. Labour MP Emily Thornberry, chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, denounced Israel’s actions as “an affront to the British Parliament and the principles of diplomatic respect.”
She warned that the decision “will not be forgotten easily,” adding, “Israel will rue the day it chose to bar elected representatives of its closest allies.”
The controversy comes amid a backdrop of escalating international condemnation of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, which has reportedly claimed over 50,000 Palestinian lives since October 2023.
British officials have increasingly voiced concern over the scale and severity of the operation, with growing calls for an immediate ceasefire and accountability for alleged war crimes.
Deputy Finance Minister Darren Jones described the MPs’ expulsion as “utterly unacceptable,” reinforcing the view that the Israeli government is seeking to stifle external scrutiny.
Despite the cross-party criticism, Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch, a Conservative, offered a rare defense of Israel’s decision, framing it as a matter of national sovereignty.
“Every nation has the right to control its borders,” she said. “What is truly alarming is that Labour MPs are now being banned from foreign countries due to the positions they hold.”
Human rights organizations condemned the expulsions as emblematic of a broader pattern of repression, accusing Israel of systematically obstructing external observers and silencing dissent, even from foreign lawmakers.
As pressure mounts for transparency and diplomatic accountability, the fallout from this latest incident underscores a deepening rift between the UK and Israel.
With political tempers flaring and public outrage growing, the episode may mark a turning point in Britain’s approach to its longstanding alliance with the Israeli state.
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