British MPs denied entry to Israel for anti-Israel activism
- Yuan Yang and Abtisam Mohamed, Labour MPs, were detained and denied entry into Israel after arriving from Luton airport.
- The Israeli authorities claimed the MPs intended to spread anti-Israel sentiment and questioned their official status as part of a parliamentary delegation.
- The UK Foreign Secretary condemned the action as unacceptable and emphasized the need for British parliamentarians to voice their opinions freely.
On April 6, 2025, two Labour Members of Parliament from the United Kingdom, Yuan Yang and Abtisam Mohamed, were denied entry into Israel. The Israeli authorities accused them of planning to spread anti-Israel hatred during their visit. The MPs had flown to Israel from Luton airport for what was claimed to be an official parliamentary delegation. However, the Israeli immigration agency stated that there was no evidence supporting their claims of being part of such a delegation and deemed their intended activities as provocative towards Israeli citizens. The situation was met with significant backlash from UK officials, including Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who called the decision to deny entry “unacceptable” and emphasized that it sets a concerning precedent for how British parliamentarians are treated abroad. Lammy asserted that the UK government's focus remains on securing a ceasefire in Gaza and relaying British support to the MPs. He highlighted that parliamentarians should be able to discuss international matters candidly without fear of repercussions. Both Yang and Mohamed expressed their astonishment at the Israeli authorities' decision, claiming that it infringes on their rights to engage in discussions about international humanitarian law and the Israel-Palestine conflict. This incident is part of a series of denials faced by lawmakers travelling to Israel, reflecting the ongoing tensions between the Israeli government and those who criticize its policies regarding Palestine. Following the MPs' detention, it was reported that the Israeli embassy in the UK asserted that the MPs were supposed to propagate falsehoods about Israel. The embassy conveyed that it is necessary for Israel to prevent the entry of individuals with potentially harmful intents, maintaining that such practices are mirrored in the United Kingdom. The politicians stated they were part of a delegation that aimed to understand the dynamics of the region, emphasizing the need for discussions surrounding compliance with international law. This incident underlines the increasingly fraught nature of UK-Israel relations in the context of the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict.