UK condemns Israel’s deportation of Labour MPs Yuan Yang and Abtisam Mohamed amid Gaza conflict tensions

In a move that has sparked a rare diplomatic confrontation, the Israeli government detained and deported two sitting British Labour Party Members of Parliament, Yuan Yang and Abtisam Mohamed, upon their arrival in Tel Aviv. The incident, which unfolded on Friday, April 5, 2025, quickly drew a sharp rebuke from the British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who condemned the Israeli action as “unacceptable, counterproductive, and deeply concerning.”

The two UK parliamentarians were reportedly traveling as part of what British officials called a parliamentary delegation. However, Israeli authorities challenged this description, accusing the lawmakers of attempting to enter the country under false pretenses. According to Israel’s Ministry of Interior, the two MPs were suspected of planning to document the activities of Israeli security forces and disseminate what authorities described as anti-Israel narratives during their stay.

The pair had flown from London to Israel on what was anticipated to be a diplomatic visit. Instead, they were stopped at Ben Gurion Airport and denied entry, before being deported back to the United Kingdom. Israeli officials maintained that their denial of entry was consistent with national security protocols.

How has the UK government responded to the deportation of its MPs?

David Lammy issued a strongly worded statement in response, asserting that detaining elected parliamentarians was “no way to treat British representatives.” The Foreign Secretary stated that the UK government had been in touch with both Yuan Yang and Abtisam Mohamed and was actively providing consular support.

Lammy added that the UK’s broader diplomatic priority remains focused on negotiating a ceasefire in Gaza, securing the release of hostages, and facilitating humanitarian relief. He stressed that cooperation between democratic nations must be grounded in mutual respect and transparency, particularly when dealing with elected officials. According to British media, no advance warning or rationale was provided to UK authorities before the deportation.

This is not the first time travel restrictions and political scrutiny have impacted foreign delegations visiting Israel. However, the high-profile nature of this case—given the status of the individuals involved—has added fuel to an already tense diplomatic climate.

What justifications has Israel given for the MPs’ deportation?

The Israeli government has firmly defended its actions. In a statement from the Ministry of Interior, officials argued that the MPs were not part of a legitimate, state-approved diplomatic mission. They alleged that both Yuan Yang and Abtisam Mohamed had a documented history of publicly criticising Israel’s conduct, particularly in relation to its operations in Gaza.

The statement also noted that Israel retains the sovereign right to deny entry to individuals it believes intend to “incite, provoke, or engage in harmful political activities” under the guise of official visits. Israeli sources said the MPs had planned to visit Palestinian territories and possibly meet with groups critical of Israeli policy, although this claim has not been independently verified.

The event has reignited debate over Israel’s use of border control policies to curtail political dissent, a strategy that has drawn criticism from human rights groups in the past. The country’s controversial 2017 “Entry into Israel” law allows authorities to bar individuals who support the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement or are perceived to undermine Israel’s international legitimacy.

How does this incident impact UK-Israel diplomatic relations?

The deportation has added strain to an already complex relationship between the United Kingdom and Israel, particularly amid the intensifying Gaza conflict. While the UK has generally maintained a supportive posture toward Israel’s right to self-defence, there has also been growing pressure from within Parliament and civil society to condemn the scale of civilian suffering in Gaza.

The Labour Party, to which both deported MPs belong, has seen a significant shift in its stance toward the Israel-Palestine issue in recent years. Under current leader Keir Starmer, Labour has tried to strike a delicate balance between support for Israel and a firmer tone on human rights violations, a departure from the more vocal pro-Palestinian approach seen during Jeremy Corbyn’s tenure.

Experts suggest that this latest diplomatic flashpoint may accelerate calls for a reassessment of how the UK engages with Israel diplomatically, especially as both sides attempt to navigate the optics of foreign policy during a time of war.

What is the broader context of the ongoing conflict in Gaza and Israel’s security crackdown?

The deportation of the MPs comes at a time of escalated military activity in Gaza and its surrounding regions. Israel recently resumed ground operations in Gaza City following the collapse of a temporary truce with Hamas. The Israeli military says its renewed campaign aims to expand its “security buffer zone” and exert pressure on Hamas to release the remaining hostages taken during the October 2023 assault.

On April 4, 2025, Israeli forces carried out a high-profile strike in Sidon, Lebanon, that allegedly killed Hassan Farhat, a senior Hamas commander accused of orchestrating attacks against Israel, including a deadly rocket barrage on the town of Safed in February. The strike also reportedly killed his adult children, further inflaming tensions in the region.

Since the intensification of hostilities, Gaza’s health ministry—run by Hamas—has reported over 50,000 deaths since the conflict began, with more than 1,200 casualties occurring in the latest wave of fighting alone. Israel has come under growing international scrutiny over the humanitarian crisis, even as it maintains that its military operations are targeted and necessary for national security.

Why is international access to Gaza and Israel under scrutiny?

Access to Gaza and the ability of foreign officials, journalists, and aid workers to enter Israel have become highly sensitive topics in recent years. Israel has long exercised strict control over who can enter its borders, particularly during periods of heightened conflict. However, critics argue that this approach is increasingly being used to suppress dissent and restrict independent scrutiny of military activities.

This latest incident highlights the challenges foreign observers face when trying to engage with on-the-ground realities in both Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories. It also raises questions about the transparency of Israeli decision-making processes in denying entry, especially when those affected are elected representatives of allied nations.

Diplomatic observers note that while Israel has legitimate security concerns, incidents like the deportation of British MPs risk isolating the country further and undermining its broader strategic interests. As global pressure mounts for a more measured and humanitarian approach to the conflict, decisions perceived as excessive or politically motivated may backfire diplomatically.

What are the implications for parliamentary diplomacy and international oversight?

The deportation of Yuan Yang and Abtisam Mohamed has also prompted debate over the effectiveness and future of parliamentary diplomacy. These delegations, often organised outside formal foreign office channels, have historically served as a form of soft power, enabling lawmakers to assess international developments firsthand and engage in unofficial dialogue with stakeholders on all sides.

In this case, the denial of access to such a mission could deter future parliamentary visits and erode trust between legislative institutions. The tension also illustrates the increasing politicisation of border control as a foreign policy tool—raising fundamental questions about democratic norms and the freedom of elected officials to travel and report independently.

For now, the UK government appears poised to escalate the issue diplomatically. But whether it leads to a formal protest, policy shifts, or a rethinking of the broader UK-Israel relationship remains to be seen. The incident comes as the UK seeks to recalibrate its global diplomatic posture post-Brexit and amid broader conversations about its role in international peacebuilding efforts.