TEL AVIV, Israel — Tensions have arisen following Israel’s decision to block entry to two British lawmakers intending to visit the West Bank. Israeli authorities allege that these parliament members support actions against the state. This move has sparked strong reactions from the UK.
Britain’s Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, expressed significant dissatisfaction on Saturday, stating it was “unacceptable, counterproductive and deeply concerning” that two of the UK’s parliamentarians were held and subsequently banned from entering Israel. He emphasized that this was no appropriate manner to treat representatives from the British Parliament.
The lawmakers, Abtisam Mohamed and Yuan Yang, expressed their shock and disbelief at being denied entry, labeling the action by Israeli officials as unprecedented for British MPs aiming to visit the occupied West Bank. They stressed the importance of parliamentarians being able to independently assess the situation in these regions, with plans to inspect humanitarian efforts and engage local communities being thwarted.
Medical Aid for Palestinians, a charity associated with the lawmakers’ visit, reported that the MPs faced questioning upon their arrival at Ben Gurion International Airport. However, entry was refused, leading to their deportation.
Israeli authorities justified their actions by highlighting the parliamentarians’ alleged advocacy for Israel boycotts, noting that they were not visiting under any official governmental mission. In Israel, current regulations restrict entry for individuals endorsing the Palestinian-led global movement promoting Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) against Israel.
While BDS campaigners assert that their actions take a nonviolent stance, aiming for justice similar to efforts seen during apartheid-era South Africa, Israel interprets these actions as undermining its foundational legitimacy and questions the intentions of the movement’s leaders, suggesting antisemitic motivations, which the movement has denied.
This incident is not isolated. Earlier in the year, Israel refused entry to two European Union lawmakers, citing similar accusations related to support for boycotting the nation.