The British Foreign Office has described as “unacceptable” and “deeply concerning” the detention and deportation of two Labour MPs by Israeli authorities, after they were denied entry upon arrival in the country.
Yuan Yang, MP for Earley and Woodley in Berkshire, and Abtisam Mohamed, MP for Sheffield Central, were part of a UK parliamentary delegation that flew from Luton to Israel on Saturday. Upon arrival, the two were held and subsequently expelled.
According to a statement cited by Sky News, Israel’s immigration ministry accused the lawmakers of intending “to document the activities of security forces and spread anti-Israel hatred.”
Reacting to the move, British Foreign Minister David Lammy said, “I have made clear to my counterparts in the Israeli government that this is no way to treat British parliamentarians, and we have been in contact with both MPs tonight to offer our support.”
He added, “The UK government's focus remains securing a return to the ceasefire and negotiations to stop the bloodshed, free the hostages and end the conflict in Gaza.”
Tensions have escalated in the region since Israel resumed military operations in Gaza on 18 March, following the collapse of a temporary ceasefire. The Israeli Defence Forces have since intensified their ground and aerial offensive in the territory, citing an effort to compel Hamas militants to release hostages still held captive.
The health ministry in Hamas-administered Gaza reported that 1,249 Palestinians have been killed since the latest wave of bombardment began, raising the total death toll in the conflict to 50,609.
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