A LABOUR MP has strongly condemned Israel for detaining and denying two MPs entry into the occupied West Bank.
We told how Abtisam Mohamed and Yuan Yang said they were "astounded" by the Israeli government's decision and that it was “vital” that parliamentarians are able to “witness first-hand” the situation on the ground in Palestine.
Emily Thornberry, chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee in the Commons, told the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme that she was "outraged" by the decision and that Israel would "rue the day they did this to British parliamentarians".
Thornberry has become more outspoken against Israel after she was secretly filmed by one of the country's foreign ministers in March.
It comes after Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said Israel was right not to allow the MPs into the country.
Israel has claimed the MPs were suspected of plans to “document the activities of security forces and spread anti-Israel hatred”, according to a statement from the Israeli immigration ministry cited by Sky News.
Badenoch told the BBC programme: "Countries should be able to control their borders. What I think is shocking is that we have MPs in Labour who other countries will not allow through.
"If you look at the reasons why the Israeli Government has given for why they're not letting them in, they don't believe that they're going to comply with their laws.
"MPs do not have diplomatic immunity. I believe that the people who represent us in Parliament should be people who are able to go anywhere in the world, and people not be worried about what they're going to do when they go into these countries."
When Kuenssberg pointed out that Thornberry looked "quite horrified" at Badenoch's assertion, the Labour MP said: "So I know Abtisam Mohamed and Yuan Yang very well , I know Abtisam particularly because she's a member of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee.
"These are two women who are potential leaders, people listen to what they say. They are highly respected parliamentarians and Israel is badly advised to try to alienate them, to humiliate them and to treat them in this way.
"Because people listen to what these two young women say, and they will do for decades to come.
"In my view, Israel really needs to start making friends as opposed to alienating people in this way. I think that it's an insult to Britain and I think it's an insult to Parliament."
Thornberry went on to say that politicians should not simply accept what Israel says "on the face of it".
She added: "I am outraged, and I cannot believe that the leader of the opposition would simply take on the face of it what it is that the Israelis say.
"We know that there are times what the Israelis say the first time isn't what they say when they've had a chance to think about it.
"All we have to think about at the moment is the way in which those people arriving at the scene in ambulances were shot, and the first description and explanation that the Israelis gave, and now they're going back on it."
Thornberry was referring to Israel's killing of 15 emergency workers who were found buried in a mass grave last week.
Israel previously said it opened fire on the vehicles because they were “advancing suspiciously” on nearby troops without headlights or emergency signals, yet video evidence recovered from one of the bodies of the victims found that the workers were driving in clearly marked emergency vehicles with the sirens on.
Israel has since said the incident was “under thorough examination”.
Thornberry continued: "I think that they will rue the day that they did this to British parliamentarians. This is the first time that they've ever refused MPs access to the country.
"They were going with a parliamentary group that was organised with Caabu, that has brought parliamentarians into the region for decades, twice a year.
"Frankly, the insight the parliamentarians have is because they visit the area.
"If Israel has something to hide, then that would be a terrible thing. But frankly they should be open to parliamentarians going to see what is actually happening on the ground."
Foreign Secretary David Lammy also condemned the comments made by Badenoch, posting on Twitter/X: "@KemiBadenoch it’s disgraceful you are cheerleading another country for detaining and deporting two British MPs. Do you say the same about Tory MPs banned from China?"
.@KemiBadenoch it’s disgraceful you are cheerleading another country for detaining and deporting two British MPs. Do you say the same about Tory MPs banned from China? This government will continue to stand up for the rights of our MPs to speak their mind, whatever their party. https://t.co/91W4H9vLWt
— David Lammy (@DavidLammy) April 6, 2025
In a previous 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.”
