TWO Labour MPs have been detained and denied entry to the occupied West Bank by Israeli authorities.
Abtisam Mohamed and Yuan Yang have said they were "astounded" by the decision and that it is “vital” that parliamentarians are able to “witness first-hand” the situation on the ground in Palestine.
In a joint statement posted on Twitter/X on Sunday, Mohamed and Yang said: “We’re astounded at the unprecedented step taken by the Israeli authorities to refuse British MPs entry on our trip to visit the occupied West Bank.
A joint statement from @YuanfenYang and me on the Israeli authorities' refusal to admit us entry to the occupied West Bank: pic.twitter.com/i9Ild0RDAv
— Abtisam Mohamed (@Abtisam_Mohamed) April 6, 2025
“It is vital that parliamentarians are able to witness first-hand the situation in the occupied Palestinian territory.”
The statement, shared on Mohamed’s Twitter/X page, said they have “spoken out in Parliament in recent months” on Israel's war on Gaza, and “parliamentarians should feel free to speak truthfully in the House of Commons without fear of being targeted”.
They said they had made the trip with charity partners as part of an MPs’ delegation “to visit humanitarian aid projects and communities in the West Bank”.
Yang represents the constituency of Earley and Woodley, in Berkshire, while Mohamed represents Sheffield Central. Both were elected to Parliament last July.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy said he had “made clear” to his counterparts in the Israeli government that it is “no way to treat British parliamentarians”.
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.
— David Lammy (@DavidLammy) April 5, 2025
In a statement on Saturday evening, Lammy said: “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.
“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.
“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.”
