British Members of Parliament EYuan Yang and Abtisam Mohamed from the Labor party landed in Israel yesterday (Saturday) at 2:30 PM, accompanied by their aides. During questioning, the two claimed they were visiting as part of an official parliamentary delegation. This turned out to be false, as no official Israeli body had been informed of or approved such a delegation.
Further questioning revealed that the true purpose of their visit was to document Israeli security forces and promote hate-filled rhetoric against Israel. In light of these findings, Israeli Minister of Interior Moshe Arbel decided to deny them entry in accordance with Israeli law, and ordered their removal from the country.
“Unacceptable”
The decision to deport the two MPs sparked mixed reactions. UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy expressed anger over the move. In a post on his X account, he wrote: “It is unacceptable, counterproductive, and deeply concerning that two British MPs on a parliamentary delegation to Israel have been detained and refused entry by the Israeli authorities.”
Online Response
Lammy’s post sparked much criticism, with posts like the following:
No one, including MPs, have automatic right of entry.
These two, who have history of extend anti-Israel rhetoric, were only barred entry after questioning revealed the purpose of their visit was “to document Israeli security forces and spread hateful rhetoric against Israel.”…
— Arsen Ostrovsky ️ (@Ostrov_A) April 5, 2025
Another user pointed out: “Correct me if I’m wrong, but if Israel’s PM visited England, he would be arrested and sent to the ICC. But British MPs should be able to come and go from Israel at will?”
Reportedly, the Israeli embassy in the UK stated :”The visit was intended to provoke, harm Israeli citizens, and spread falsehoods about them. It is Israel’s responsibility to prevent the entry of such individuals (just as is the practice in the United Kingdom).”
