Britain’s Foreign Secretary David Lammy unleashed sharp criticism Saturday, branding Israel’s detention and deportation of two UK lawmakers “unacceptable” and “counterproductive.”
Labour MPs Yuan Yang and Abtisam Mohamed, flying from London, were barred entry and sent back, British media reported Sunday. “This is no way to treat British parliamentarians,” Lammy fumed, vowing support for the pair while pushing for a Gaza ceasefire to free hostages and halt bloodshed.
"They are highly respected parliamentarians and Israel is badly advised… to humiliate them"
Emily Thornberry Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee says it is an "insult to Britain" that two Labour MPs were denied entry to Israel#BBCLauraK https://t.co/49MSD0PIQI pic.twitter.com/NhHmXAOedg
— BBC Politics (@BBCPolitics) April 6, 2025Israel fired back, claiming the MPs’ “official parliamentary delegation” story was bogus—no Israeli body knew of their visit. The interior ministry alleged they aimed to “document security forces’ actions and spread hate speech.” The duo, stunned, called it an “unprecedented step.” The clash fueled a UK spat opposition leader Kemi Badenoch shrugged, “Not surprised,” citing Labour’s Israel rhetoric, prompting Lammy’s X retort: “Disgraceful you’re cheerleading this.”
Unlike China, Israel is our ally and a democracy. A good Foreign Sec would be able to make that distinction.
Perhaps Labour MPs could put UK national interest first and do their jobs instead of campaigning for airports in Kashmir or promoting Hamas propaganda in parliament. https://t.co/lLd5aNtCHU
— Kemi Badenoch (@KemiBadenoch) April 6, 2025Since the start of the conflict in October 2023, Israel’s renewed operations in Gaza have reportedly resulted in 1,249 deaths, according to Hamas. This follows an attack that claimed 1,218 lives. The overall death toll has now reached 50,609, escalating tensions between the UK and Israel amid an already volatile situation.
Read: Video Evidence Contradicts Israel’s Claim in Gaza Medics’ Deaths
