Britain Expresses Outrage After Israel Denies Entry to Lawmakers

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Introduction to the Incident

Britain expressed outrage after Israeli authorities prevented two lawmakers from entering the country in order to visit the occupied West Bank. Israel accused the members of parliament of supporting boycotts against it.

Britain’s Foreign Secretary David Lammy said late Saturday that it was “unacceptable, counterproductive and deeply concerning” that two British members of parliament were detained and refused entry to Israel.

“I have made clear to my counterparts in the Israeli government that this is no way to treat British parliamentarians,” he said.

Abtisam Mohamed and Yuan Yang said they were “astounded at the unprecedented step taken by the Israeli authorities to refuse British MPs entry on our trip to visit the occupied West Bank.”

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The Situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory

“It is vital that parliamentarians are able to witness firsthand the situation in the occupied Palestinian territory,” they said, adding that they had planned to visit humanitarian aid projects and local communities.

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Denial of Entry and Deportation

Medical Aid for Palestinians, a charity that helped organize the visit, said the two were questioned upon arrival at Israel’s Ben Gurion International Airport before being denied entry and deported.

A statement from Israeli authorities accused the two lawmakers of having called for boycotts of Israel and said they were not visiting as part of an official delegation.

Israeli law prohibits the entry of non-citizens and non-residents who support the Palestinian-led international boycott movement, known as Boycott, Divest and Sanctions, or BDS.

Supporters portray BDS as nonviolent activism based on a similar campaign against apartheid South Africa. Israel views the movement as an attack on its very legitimacy and accuses some organizers of antisemitism, allegations they deny.

In February, Israel denied entry to two European Union lawmakers, accusing one of promoting boycotts of the country.

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Conclusion

The incident has sparked outrage in Britain, with Foreign Secretary David Lammy condemning the treatment of the British lawmakers. The denial of entry and deportation of the two lawmakers has also raised concerns about the Israeli government’s stance on the BDS movement and its impact on international relations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What happened to the two British lawmakers who tried to visit the occupied West Bank?

A: They were denied entry and deported by Israeli authorities, who accused them of supporting boycotts against Israel.

Q: What is the BDS movement?

A: The BDS movement, also known as Boycott, Divest and Sanctions, is a Palestinian-led international campaign that aims to pressure Israel to end its occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Q: How has the Israeli government responded to the BDS movement?

A: The Israeli government has prohibited the entry of non-citizens and non-residents who support the BDS movement, and has accused some organizers of antisemitism.

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