Latest news with #EarleyandWoodley
The National
23-04-2025
- Politics
- The National
UK MP tells of being detained during tense crossing into occupied West Bank
Two British MPs who have just returned from Israel and the occupied West Bank have told of a tense border crossing during which one was detained and they feared they would be fired on. This comes as pressure grows on the UK government to take a stronger stance against Israel's military campaign in Gaza. Andrew George, Liberal Democrat MP for St Ives in Cornwall, south-west England, and Adam Shockat, an independent MP for Leicester West, in central England, travelled to Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and West Bank towns last week, defying fears they could be denied entry. They were not turned back, but faced harassment during their stay. Mr George was briefly detained at the crossing into the West Bank and then released, following calls to the British embassy in Israel. Mr Shockat described how police officers in the West Bank walked towards their car pointing guns, with their fingers on the triggers. 'It was only after our local guide explained who we were that the guns were lowered, but the hands were still on the trigger,' he said. Their trip came as some European politicians face growing travel restrictions to Israel. This month, two Labour MPs were denied entry into Israel and deported, prompting outcry in Parliament and condemnation from the UK's Foreign Secretary David Lammy. Abtisam Mohamed, MP for Sheffield Central, in northern England, and Yuan Yang, MP for Earley and Woodley in Berkshire, in southern England, are members of the foreign affairs committee, which has been scrutinising the UK's foreign policy on the Israel-Palestine conflict. In France, a delegation of left-wing politicians saw their visas to Israel revoked by the Israeli authorities, two days before their planned trip. Mr George said he'd spoken to Mr Lammy ahead of his trip, and that believed that 'representations' made by the Foreign Office the Israeli authorities ensured the pair were allowed into Israel and the West Bank. The pair had been briefed by Foreign Office officials not to hand in their phones, should they be detained. They had also been advised to travel with phones and laptops that contained very little information. Mr George said he'd been 'anxious' throughout the trip, owing to statements he made criticising Israel's war in Gaza having been reported in Israeli media the week before. Mr George's constituency of St Ives is still reeling from the death of Cornishman James Henderson, an aid worker who was killed by Israeli air strike in Gaza in April 2024. 'The tragedy extends to our back door,' said Mr George. Letters from concerned constituents about the Israel-Gaza war compelled the MP to travel to Israel and Palestine. 'Although it isn't on our doorstep, it certainly is in people's minds. My constituents consistently view it as the epicentre of wider world conflict,' he said. Former Royal Marine Mr Henderson, 33, was active in sporting activities in West Cornwall, including boxing. 'He was well known and liked in our community in a way that resonated across West Cornwall. It caused a secondary grief,' said Mr George. He was among the seven aid workers from World Central Kitchen food relief non-governmental organisation who were killed in April last year in an attack on their convoy. Israel described the strike as a 'grave mistake' and apologised. Mr George called for further investigation into the attack, and said the UK government had not pressurised Israel sufficiently on the issues. 'We don't know that there is an investigation at the moment. We were promised it, but it really depends on the Israeli government,' he told The National. 'It was raised in the house the other day. The [UK] government is being excessively lily-livered as far as these issues are concerned,' he said. Mr George and Mr Shockat are expected to meet with Foreign Office ministers to brief them about their trip. They have called on the UK to impose stricter sanctions on Israel settlers in illegal settlements − including a ban on their goods − and for recognition of the Palestinian state. 'It's very clear that the majority of Labour backbenchers are on our side of the debate, and are actually pressing the government to do more to recognise the state of Palestine and to press for stronger action,' said Mr George. Though the Lib Dem MP has advocated for a two-state solution in the past, Palestinians he had met during his trip viewed the concept as 'no longer helpful, plausible or achievable'. 'I've advocated for it myself, but having now that I've visited the region, I can see why some see it as a waste of political energy … for those who are determined in securing long-term peace. It creates a veneer of purposefulness that seems too far off,' he said. Instead, he proposes a 'two-stage solution' that would see an end to the Israeli 'segregation' of Palestinians and equal rights for all, as a path towards two states. Mr Shockat warned that the West Bank could turn into the next Gaza. "We are one minute to midnight at this moment. If it's left unaddressed, it's going to have consequences − not for the region, but for the world," he said.
Sky News
06-04-2025
- Politics
- Sky News
Furious row after Labour MPs deported from Israel - as Lammy criticises 'disgraceful' Badenoch response
A furious political row has broken out after two Labour MPs were denied entry to Israel and deported after being accused of planning to "spread anti-Israel hatred". Yuan Yang and Abtisam Mohamed were rejected because they were suspected of plans to "document the activities of security forces and spread anti-Israel hatred", according to a statement from the Israeli immigration ministry. Ms Yang, who represents Earley and Woodley, and Ms Mohamed, the MP for Sheffield Central, both flew to the country from Luton on Saturday - and later said they were "astounded" by their treatment. The Israeli immigration ministry said the MPs were accompanied by two assistants on the trip and during questioning, they claimed they were visiting Israel "as part of an official parliamentary delegation". But Israeli officials say immigration officers found "no evidence to support the claim... they were travelling as part of an official delegation". "No politicians or government officials were aware they were coming," they added. The Council for Arab-British Understanding (CAABU) contradicted Israeli officials, saying the women were part of a "parliamentary delegation" on a trip organised alongside Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP). Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch told Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips she was "not surprised" the MPs were detained and that "every country should be able to control its borders, and that's what Israel is doing, as far as I understand". She said she was "very concerned" about the "rhetoric" on the Middle East from Labour MPs and six independents and claimed there is "a lot of repeating of misinformation, repeating of conspiracy theories" during Prime Minister's Questions. UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy criticised Ms Badenoch's comments, writing in a post on X: "It's disgraceful you are cheerleading another country for detaining and deporting two British MPs. Do you say the same about Tory MPs banned from China?." In a joint statement, Ms Yang and Ms Mohamed said they were "astounded at the unprecedented step taken by the Israeli authorities". "It is vital that parliamentarians are able to witness, first-hand, the situation in the occupied Palestinian territory," they said. "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. Parliamentarians should feel free to speak truthfully in the House of Commons, without fear of being targeted." They said they had travelled to "visit humanitarian aid projects and communities in the West Bank" with "UK charity partners who have over a decade of experience in taking parliamentary delegations". Israel's UK embassy said the MPs were denied entry because they had "accused Israel of false claims, were actively involved in promoting sanctions against Israeli ministers, and supported campaigns aimed at boycotting the state of Israel". It said the women "chose not to exercise their right under Israeli law to petition the court to reconsider the decision". As a result, they were "offered hotel accommodation, which they declined" and their return flight was covered by the Israeli state. "The visit was intended to provoke anti-Israel activities at a time when Israel is at war and under attack on seven fronts. Its purpose was to harm Israel and Israeli citizens and spread falsehoods about them," the statement added. "The state of Israel has both the authority and the duty to prevent the entry of individuals whose presence in the country is intended to cause harm to its citizens - just as such authority exists in the United Kingdom." Earlier, Mr Lammy said in a statement to Sky News: "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. "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. "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." In an interview with Sky's Trevor Phillips, chief secretary to the treasury Darren Jones echoed Mr Lammy's accusation of "unacceptable" behaviour by the Israelis. Labour Friends of Israel said it was "wrong and counterproductive for Israel to refuse entry to British members of Parliament". "Over the years we've taken hundreds of MPs to Israel and Palestine; it's vital parliamentarians are able to visit and understand the situation on the ground," it said.
Yahoo
06-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
David Lammy Slams Israel For Refusing Entry To 2 UK MPs: 'No Way To Treat British Parliamentarians'
David Lammy has hit out at Israel after it refused entry to two Labour MPs. Earley and Woodley's Yuan Yang and Sheffield Central's Abtisam Mohamed were rejected after flying to Ben Gurion airport from Luton with two aides over the weekend. They had been planning to travel to the Palestinian territory the West Bank, but were denied entry after being questioned. They were suspected of planning to 'document the activities of security forces and spread anti-Israel hatred', according to a statement from the Israeli immigration ministry, cited by Sky News and the BBC. The UK's foreign office said they were acting as part of a parliamentary delegation. but Israel claimed any such group had not been acknowledged by any Israeli official. The foreign secretary said it was 'unacceptable' for Israel to have banned these two MPs. In a statement released on Saturday night, 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. '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. '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.' His comments stand in stark contrast to those from Tory leader Kemi Badenoch, who told the BBC this morning that countries 'should be able to control their borders'. She added: 'What I think is shocking is that we have MPs in Labour [who] other countries won't allow through. I think that's very significant.' Meanwhile, Labour chair of the foreign affairs select committee Emily Thornberry told the BBC that Israel's actions were an 'insult to Britain' and 'an insult to parliament'. Yang and Mohamed left Israel on Sunday morning. They said in a joint statement that they were 'astounded' to have been denied entry , and said it was 'vital' parliamentarians are able to 'witness, firsthand, the situation in the occupied Palestinian territory'. The MPs said their trip had been organised with UK charities who had 'over a decade of experience in taking parliamentary delegations.' '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 said. 'Parliamentarians should feel free to speak truthful in the House of Commons, without fear of being targeted.' The war in Gaza began when Hamas militants killed 1,200 people on Israeli soil in October 2023 and took a further 250 people hostage. Israel declared war on the Palestinian territory and launched a land offensive. Violence has erupted on the West Bank too, as Israeli forces pressed ahead with raids. A brief ceasefire was implemented earlier this year in Gaza but it has been broken. Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry says more than 50,000 people have been killed since the war began. The Palestinian Death Toll In Gaza's War Passes 50,000 As Israel Expands New Airstrikes Israel Launches A Ground Operation To Retake Part Of A Key Corridor In Northern Gaza 'The Bodies Were Everywhere': Doctors In Gaza Recount The Night Israel Killed Hundreds
Roya News
06-04-2025
- Politics
- Roya News
Lammy slams Israeli Occupation for deporting British MPs
The UK's Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, has publicly criticized the Israeli Occupation authorities for denying entry to two Labour MPs and subsequently deporting them. Yuan Yang, the representative for Earley and Woodley, and Abtisam Mohamed, who serves as the MP for Sheffield Central, were turned away at Ben Gurion Airport after arriving from Luton with their aides. According to a statement from the "Israeli" immigration ministry, cited by Sky News and Politics UK, their rejection was based on suspicions that they intended to 'document the activities of security forces and spread anti-Israel hatred.' In a statement released on Saturday, Lammy expressed his concerns over the incident, stating, '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 emphasized that he had conveyed to Israeli Occupation officials that such treatment of British parliamentarians was inappropriate and affirmed that the UK government has been in contact with both MPs to offer support.
The Independent
05-04-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Two Labour MPs denied entry and deported from Israel
Two Labour MPs have been denied entry to and deported from Israel in a move described as 'deeply concerning' by the UK foreign secretary. Yuan Yang and Abtisam Mohamed were rejected at the Israeli border after being accused of planning to spread 'anti-Israel hatred'. Ms Yang, who represents Earley and Woodley, and Ms Mohamed, the MP for Sheffield Central, had flown to the country from Luton airport on Saturday afternoon. Foreign secretary David Lammy hit out at the 'unacceptable' Israeli decision and said it was 'no way to treat British parliamentarians'. '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,' Mr Lammy said. '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. '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 Israeli embassy in the UK said Ms Yang's and Ms Mohamed's visit was 'intended to provoke, harm Israeli citizens, and spread falsehoods about them'. 'It is Israel's responsibility to prevent the entry of such individuals (just as is the practice in the United Kingdom),' it added.
