According to the United Kingdom’s Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, Israel has taken into custody and expelled two British lawmakers, denying them access as part of a parliamentary delegation.
Labour lawmakers Yuan Yang and Abtisam Mohamed, who flew from London to Israel on Saturday, were prevented from entering due to suspicions that they planned to “document security forces’ activities and spread hatred towards Israel,” as reported by Sky News, citing a statement from the Israeli immigration ministry.
Lammy stated that Israel’s actions were “counterproductive” and “deeply concerning,” according to Sky News. Lammy assured his Israeli counterparts that such treatment of British legislators is not acceptable and has been in contact with the MPs to provide support.
The UK government is prioritizing the restoration of the ceasefire and negotiations to end the bloodshed, secure the release of hostages, and conclude the conflict in Gaza, as Lammy specified.
Last year, Israel deemed the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres “undesirable,” banning him from the country. Two European Parliament members were also refused entry in February.