Two British MPs detained over alleged anti-Israel activities
Israel has detained two British Members of Parliament and barred them from entering the country as part of a parliamentary delegation, according to a statement from British Foreign Minister David Lammy late on Saturday.
The detained MPs are Labour Party members Yuan Yang and Abtisam Mohamed, Sky News reported citing Israel’s immigration ministry. They were denied entry under suspicion of intending to “document the activities of security forces and spread anti-Israel hatred.”
Yang represents the Earley and Woodley constituency, while Mohamed serves as the MP for Sheffield Central. Both MPs had flown from Luton to Israel on Saturday, according to Sky News.
Lammy stated, “I have made it clear to my counterparts in the Israeli government that this treatment of British parliamentarians is unacceptable, and we have been in touch with both MPs to offer our support.”
He added that the UK government’s priority remains working towards a ceasefire, resuming negotiations to stop the violence, secure the release of hostages, and end the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Israel broke the Gaza ceasefire with Hamas last month by launching a surprise bombing campaign in the region. This escalation came after attempts to pressure Hamas into accepting new terms for the ceasefire, with the move being backed by the White House. In the aftermath, hundreds of Palestinians have been killed in Israeli airstrikes.
Israel has vowed to intensify its military campaign in Gaza until Hamas returns all the hostages taken during the October 7, 2023, surprise attack.
