Two Labour MPs, Yuan Yang and Abtisam Mohamed, were denied entry to Israel while attempting to visit the occupied West Bank as part of a parliamentary delegation. The incident occurred on Saturday when they arrived at an Israeli airport. After questioning, Israeli authorities refused them entry and sent them back to the UK.
Why Were They Denied Entry?
Israel’s population and immigration authority claimed the MPs intended to “spread hate speech” against Israel. The Israeli embassy in London stated they “will not allow the entry of individuals or entities that act against the state and its citizens.” They specifically accused the MPs of making false claims about Israel and promoting sanctions against Israeli ministers.
The MPs’ Response
Yang and Mohamed released a joint statement saying they were “astounded” by this “unprecedented step.” They emphasised that parliamentarians should be able to “witness first-hand the situation in the occupied Palestinian territory” and speak truthfully in Parliament “without fear of being targeted.”
Who Are the MPs?
Yuan Yang
Yuan Yang, 35, represents Earley and Woodley in Berkshire. Born in China, she moved to the UK at age four and is the first China-born MP in British history. Before entering politics, she worked as a journalist for the Financial Times, including as deputy Beijing bureau chief.
In Parliament, Yang has spoken once about the Israel-Gaza conflict, calling for journalist safety in Gaza. She has also advocated for sanctions against certain Israeli ministers who suggested building settlements in northern Gaza.
Abtisam Mohamed
Abtisam Mohamed represents Sheffield Central and is the first Yemeni-born MP in British history. She came to the UK at age two and later qualified as a teacher and lawyer before entering politics.
Mohamed has been more vocal about the Israel-Gaza conflict, speaking five times in Parliament on the issue. She initiated a cross-party letter signed by 61 MPs calling for a ban on goods from Israeli settlements and has criticised Israel’s humanitarian aid policies in Gaza.
UK Government Response
Foreign Secretary David Lammy called the incident “unacceptable, counterproductive, and deeply concerning,” adding that “this is no way to treat British parliamentarians.” The Foreign Office has been in contact with both MPs to offer support.
Political Reactions
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch took a different stance, saying that Israel had a right to “control its borders” and finding it “significant” that there were Labour MPs other countries wouldn’t allow entry to.
Labour MP Emily Thornberry, chair of the foreign affairs select committee, described the two MPs as “highly respected parliamentarians” and potential leaders, calling Israel’s actions “an insult to Britain and an insult to Parliament.”
Previous Similar Cases
This is not the first time Israel has barred politicians from entry. Members of the European Parliament and the US Congress have faced similar restrictions, including US Congresswomen Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib in 2019. More recently, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was also barred from entering Israel.
Background Context
The incident occurs amid ongoing tensions in the region. The current conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas attacked Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. Since then, Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry reports more than 50,000 Palestinian deaths.
Meanwhile, the West Bank has seen protests, violent incidents, and Israeli military operations, with hundreds of reported deaths in the territory.