Israel blocked two British lawmakers from coming into the county, the two politicians said in a statement posted to social media Sunday.
“We're astounded at the unprecedented step taken by the Israeli authorities to refuse British MPs entry on our trip to visit the occupied West Bank. It is vital that parliamentarians are able to witness, firsthand, the situation in the occupied Palestinian territory,” Abtisam Mohamed and Yuan Yang, both members of Parliament and the Labour Party, said in a statement posted to the social platform X.
“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 added.
Israel has taken steps to block other lawmakers from entering the country in the past.
In 2019, Israel announced that it would not allow Reps. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) and Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) to enter the country ahead of a trip they were set to take. The two House members have a history of pro-Palestinian activism and criticizing Israel.
Late last year, Israeli officials became upset over a decision by the U.K. to quickly stop some of its arms exports to Israel, which the U.K did because the arms exports could be used for a “serious violation” of international humanitarian law amid Israel’s war in Gaza.
“It is unacceptable, counterproductive, and deeply concerning that two British MPs on a parliamentary delegation to Israel have been detained and refused entry by the Israeli authorities,” U.K. Foreign Secretary David Lammy said in a statement Saturday.
“I have made clear to my counterparts in the Israeli government that this is no way to treat British Parliamentarians, and we have been in contact with both MPs tonight to offer our support,” he added. “The UK government’s focus remains securing a return to the ceasefire and negotiations to stop the bloodshed, free the hostages and end the conflict in Gaza.”
The Hill has reached out to the Israeli government for comment.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived Sunday evening for a visit to Washington, D.C.
He is likely to discuss the situation in Gaza in his meetings with U.S. officials, as well as tariffs imposed on his country by President Trump.
