TWO Labour MPs have spoken in the House of Commons after being refused entry to Israel, with one saying the country's actions were "about control and censorship", not "security".
Labour MPs Abtisam Mohamed and Yuan Yang were denied entry to the occupied West Bank over the weekend, which Foreign Secretary David Lammy said he finds “deeply concerning”.
The Council for Arab-British Understanding (Caabu) and Medical Aid for Palestinians (Map) said they had organised the delegation that included the two MPs, and had been organising such trips for “over a decade”.
The group had “informed the UK consul general in Jerusalem of their visit”.
Mohamed, MP for Sheffield Central, said it had been “a challenging few days”, adding: “We were denied entry based on our legitimate political opinions, which are firmly aligned with international law.
“We are not the only ones speaking about the atrocities. We are not the only ones calling for change. We are not the only ones saying that the current actions of the Israeli government must change. Indeed, many Israeli people and charities themselves in Israel are also calling for change.
“There is no direct route into the West Bank. We have to go through Israel. This act was not just a diplomatic affront. This wasn’t about security. It was about control and censorship.”
She added: “No state, however powerful, should be beyond criticism. I desperately want to see a two-state solution, and I hope the minister will be able to work with his counterparts in Israel to prevent this happening again, so that we can continue to act in good faith to shed light on what is happening.”
Foreign Minister Hamish Falconer replied: “On the position of the Israeli government, they do have the right to decide who enters Israel, as indeed do we.
“On this occasion, the two Members of Parliament were given clearance to enter and so it was known to the Israeli government before they arrived at the airport that they would be travelling. So it was with some surprise that I received the call on Saturday evening.”
Yang said she joined the delegation on behalf of her constituents who had shared their “longing for peace” in Gaza and the West Bank.
The Earley and Woodley MP added: “Before going to the West Bank, I understood the risks of travelling to a region where violence is all too common. I did not, however, anticipate the risks of detention and deportation from a British ally.”
She continued: “So far in this Parliament, the conflict in Gaza has been referenced over a thousand times by British MPs, and I have made five of those references in this chamber. If my experience has proved anything, it is that what we say in this chamber matters, and I will encourage other MPs to continue speaking on this issue.
“People around the world are listening to us, our voice is powerful, and we must continue to use it without fear or favour.”
Shadow Foreign Office minister Wendy Morton was met with shouts of “shame” from the Labour benches, as she claimed they were travelling to Israel “at their own risk”.
She added: “As MPs we do not have diplomatic immunity. So what would the FCDO (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) do, and this is really important, what would the FCDO do if MPs are allowed entry and then arrested?”
Falconer replied: “I had hoped that (Ms Morton) might come to the despatch box in order to withdraw the comments of the leader of the Opposition.”
