A READING MP was one of two detained and subsequently deported as part of a delegation to Israel yesterday (Saturday, April 5).
Yuan Yang, MP for Earley and Woodley, was joined by Abtisam Mohamed, MP for Sheffield Central, and a number of aides when she flew into Ben Gurion airport in Israel.
She formed part of a delegation which aimed to visit humanitarian projects in the West Bank alongside charity partners.
While they were due to return today (Sunday, April 6), they were detained by Israeli authorities on the grounds that they were suspected to be planning to “document activities of security forces” and “spread anti-Israeli hatred”, a statement from the Israeli immigration ministry confirmed.
Other Israeli officials have said that there was no evidence found to support the claim, however.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy released a statement on Saturday, April 5, which called the move “unacceptable… and deeply concerning,” reiterating the government’s focus on returning to a state of ceasefire in the region.
While speaking to Sky News this morning, however, Leader of the Opposition Kemi Badenoch said that Israel was “control[ling] its borders,” and that she “respect[ed] the decision.”
Meanwhile Chair of the foreign affairs select committee Emily Thornberry MP said that the move was an “insult to our country and to Parliament.”
A joint statement released by Ms Yang and Ms Mohamed said that they were “astounded” at the move, explaining: “It is vital that parliamentarians are able to witness, first-hand, the situation in the occupied Palestinian territory.
“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.”
It comes after the ending of brief pause of the Israeli bombardment of Gaza, which has resulted in more than 50,000 deaths.
