UK slams Israeli detainment of lawmakers as 'unacceptable'

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
6 Apr 2025 06:35
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Two British lawmakers were detained and deported after arriving at an Israeli airport, triggering a response from London.

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Britain's Foreign Secretary David Lammy attends a meeting with Kosovo's President Vjosa Osmani during his official visit to Kosovo, in Prishtina on April 2, 2025. (AFP)

British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said that the Israeli authorities' detainment of two British lawmakers and denying them entry was "unacceptable."

"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 stated

In detail, Labor members of parliament Yuan Yang and Abtisam Mohamed flew from London to an Israeli airport. However, Israeli authorities blocked them from entering the occupied territories and eventually deported them.

Lammy said that he "made clear" to his Israeli counterparts that "this is no way to treat British parliamentarians."

"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 top British diplomat said.

UK gov. insists on protecting the criminal Israeli regime

Earlier in March, the UK Prime Minister’s office withdrew a statement made by Lammy, whereby he accused "Israel" of violating international law by blocking humanitarian aid to Gaza. Lammy had told the House of Commons that "Israel" had breached international law. A spokesperson for Prime Minister Keir Starmer was then quick to clarify that the regime was only “at risk” of doing so. This clarification follows a series of Israeli airstrikes on Gaza that killed over 400 Palestinians.

The spokesperson emphasized that while the Israeli actions in Gaza were "at clear risk" of breaching international humanitarian law, it remained the responsibility of the courts to make such determinations. “The government is not an international court,” the spokesperson noted.

The Council for Arab-British Understanding (CAABU) criticized the reversal, calling it a “disgraceful move” that undermines the government’s commitment to international law. It also highlighted a growing divide between Lammy and Starmer.

Lammy’s comments focused on "Israel’s" blockage of essential aid, including food, fuel, and medicine, from entering Gaza. “This is a breach of international law. Israel quite rightly must defend its own security. But we find the lack of aid — it’s now been 15 days since aid got into Gaza — unacceptable, hugely alarming and very worrying,” Lammy had stated.