Abtisam Mohamed, Yuan Yang denied entry in Israel: After Israel denied entry to two UK lawmakers following questioning at Ben Gurion Airport, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy condemned its action, calling it "unacceptable, counterproductive, and deeply concerning." The two Labour Party MPs, Abtisam Mohamed and Yuan Yang, were not allowed to enter Israel after it was revealed that the purpose of their visit was to "document Israeli security forces" and "spread hateful rhetoric against Israel", The Times of Israel quotes the Population and Immigration Authority as saying.
In his statement, Lammy said, "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."
Lammy further stated, "I have made clear to my counterparts in the Israeli government that this is no way to treat British parliamentarians."
Lammy emphasised the UK government's commitment to supporting the MPs and reiterated its focus on achieving a ceasefire and engaging in negotiations to "stop the bloodshed, free the hostages and end the conflict in Gaza."
Both MPs, while being interrogated, claimed that they were in Israel as part of an official delegation; however, the claim was found to be false as no Israeli entity verified the arrival of such a delegation, The Times of Israel reports, quoting the Population and Immigration Authority.
Interior Minister Moshe Arbel, therefore, decided to deny entry to all four individuals "in accordance with the law and ordered their removal from Israel," the population authority said, Times of Israel reported.
(With inputs from agencies)
