The UK has expressed outrage after Israeli authorities barred two British lawmakers from entering Israel, preventing them from visiting the occupied West Bank. Israel accused the British MPs of supporting a boycott against the country.
British Foreign Secretary David Lammy described the denial as “unacceptable, counterproductive, and deeply concerning,” emphasizing that it was not the proper way to treat British Members of Parliament.
“I have made it very clear to my counterparts in the Israeli government that this is not the way British MPs should be treated,” he said.
Abtisam Mohamed and Yuan Yang stated they were “shocked by this unprecedented action taken by the Israeli authorities to refuse our entry for a visit to the occupied West Bank.”
“It is essential for MPs to be able to see the situation in the occupied Palestinian territory with their own eyes,” they added, noting that they had planned to visit humanitarian aid projects and local communities.
Medical Aid for Palestinians, a charity that helped organize the visit, said the two MPs were questioned upon their arrival at Israel’s Ben Gurion International Airport, and then denied entry and deported from the country.
Meanwhile, Israeli authorities, through a statement, accused the two MPs of calling for a boycott of Israel and stated that they were not visiting as part of an official delegation.
Under Israeli law, the entry of non-citizens who support the international boycott movement, led by Palestinians and known as BDS (Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions), is prohibited.
Supporters argue that this non-violent movement is based on similar campaigns against apartheid in South Africa. Israel views it as an attack on its legitimacy and accuses the organizers of antisemitism, a charge they deny.
In February, Israel also denied entry to two European Union lawmakers, accusing them of promoting a boycott of Israel.
