Two British Labour MPs were detained and denied entry by Israeli authorities on Saturday, prompting a sharp rebuke from the UK government and igniting a wider political row.
Yuan Yang (Lower Earley & Woodley, Reading) and Abtisam Mohamed (Sheffield Central), both elected to Parliament in 2024, had travelled to Israel as part of a parliamentary visit. The pair were stopped upon arrival, held for questioning, and subsequently deported – a move UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy described as “unacceptable, counter-productive and deeply concerning.”
The Israeli population and immigration ministry justified the decision by claiming the MPs had not declared an official parliamentary mission. Officials alleged the pair intended to document security operations and promote anti-Israel sentiment – accusations Yang and Mohamed strongly deny.
In a statement following their return, the MPs said they were in the region to meet with humanitarian organisations and visit communities in the occupied West Bank. They described the decision to detain and deport them as “astounding,” and stressed the importance of legislators being able to witness the reality on the ground.
Their comments reflect growing concern in Westminster over the escalating humanitarian crisis in the region. Both MPs have spoken in Parliament in recent months on the Israel-Palestine conflict, calling for compliance with international law and better protection for civilians.
The incident has also exposed divisions in British politics. While Labour defended its MPs and criticised Israel’s actions, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch came out in support of the Israeli government. The clash underscores broader differences in foreign policy posture between the two main parties.
With UK-Israel relations under renewed strain, the episode raises questions over the ability of elected representatives to engage in international fact-finding missions without facing political retaliation – particularly in conflict zones where transparency is most needed.
