In a surprising turn of events, two Labour Members of Parliament (MPs) from the UK, Abtisam Mohamed and Yuan Yang, expressed their shock at being denied entry into Israel after being detained upon arrival. The two MPs were part of a planned visit intended to allow parliamentarians to witness firsthand the complex and often contentious situation in the occupied Palestinian territories.

Israeli authorities cited concerns that the MPs intended to engage in what they termed "hate speech" against Israel, a claim made by the nation's population and immigration authority. This assertion raises questions about the freedom of movement and expression for foreign officials visiting the region.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy responded strongly to the incident, condemning the actions of the Israeli authorities. He characterized the denial of entry as "unacceptable, counterproductive, and deeply concerning," reflecting a broader dialogue surrounding international relations and the treatment of foreign dignitaries.

Yang, representing Earley and Woodley, alongside Mohamed, who serves Sheffield Central, had flown from London Luton Airport to Israel with two aides on a Saturday afternoon. Upon their arrival, they were subjected to questioning by Israeli immigration officials. The Interior Minister Moshe Arbel subsequently ordered that all four individuals be refused entry, citing their alleged intent to "document the security forces" in Israel.

The UK Foreign Office asserted that the MPs were part of a parliamentary delegation, a claim that was contested by Israeli authorities who claimed that no such delegation had been officially recognized by any Israeli official.

In a joint statement, MPs Mohamed and Yang emphasized the importance of parliamentary representatives being able to travel and speak freely on matters related to international human rights and humanitarian law. "We are two, out of scores of MPs, who have spoken out in Parliament in recent months on the Israel-Palestine conflict, and the importance of complying with international humanitarian law," they articulated.

Mohamed and Yang highlighted that their trip had been organized in collaboration with UK charities that possess extensive experience facilitating parliamentary delegations to the region, underlining their commitment to understanding the humanitarian implications of the ongoing conflict.

A spokesperson for the Israeli Interior Ministry confirmed that the MPs had left the country at approximately 06:00 local time (04:00 BST) on the following Sunday morning.

David Lammy reiterated that the UK government was engaged with both MPs to provide support during this unsettling episode. He further expressed to his Israeli counterparts that such treatment of British parliamentarians is unacceptable.

Both MPs, who were elected in 2024, have been vocal in Parliament regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict. In February, Mohamed initiated a cross-party letter that garnered support from 61 MPs and members of the House of Lords, which called for a ban on goods produced in Israeli settlements located on occupied Palestinian territory. This call for action was underpinned by an opinion from the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

Moreover, she has been critical of Israel's actions regarding humanitarian aid in Gaza, highlighting in a House of Commons debate that international law strictly prohibits the starvation of civilians as a tactic of warfare. Mohamed has also drawn attention to humanitarian organizations’ claims of "ethnic cleansing" occurring in Gaza.

Yang, on the other hand, has advocated for sanctions against Israeli ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, condemning their proposals to expand Israeli settlements in northern Gaza, which could further exacerbate tensions and encourage Palestinians to abandon their homes.

As the situation unfolds, Yang has also been vocal about the risks faced by journalists and medical professionals operating within Palestinian territories, emphasizing the dire conditions that have emerged amidst the conflict.

Since the outbreak of the current war, which began on October 7, 2023, following a surprise attack by Hamas that resulted in the deaths of around 1,200 Israelis and the kidnapping of 251 hostages into Gaza, the humanitarian crisis has escalated dramatically. According to reports from Hamas-run health services in Gaza, over 50,000 individuals have lost their lives due to the ongoing violence, including 1,309 deaths recorded since a ceasefire was called off on March 18.

In light of the growing death toll and escalating humanitarian crisis, Lammy reiterated the UK government’s commitment to facilitating a return to ceasefire negotiations aimed at halting the violence, securing the release of hostages, and ultimately bringing an end to the conflict in Gaza.