Great Britain expressed its indignation after the Israeli authorities prevented two legislators from entering the country in order to visit the occupied West Bank. Israel accused the members of the Parliament of supporting the boycotts against him.
British Foreign Minister David Lammy said late Saturday that he was “unacceptable, counterproductive and deeply concerning” that two British deputies were detained and refused to enter Israel.
“I have clearly indicated to my Israeli government counterparts that it is not a way to treat British parliamentarians,” he said.
Abtisam Mohamed and Yuan Yang said that they were “astonished with the unprecedented measurement crossed by the Israeli authorities to refuse the entry of British deputies during our trip to visit the occupied West Bank”.
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“It is essential that parliamentarians are able to assist the situation in the occupied Palestinian territory,” they said, adding that they had planned to visit humanitarian aid and local communities.
Medical aid for the Palestinians, a charity that helped organize the visit, said the two had been questioned when they arrived at Israel Ben Gurion International Airport before being refused entry and offset.
A statement by Israeli authorities accused the two legislators of having called to boycott Israel and said they did not go within the framework of an official delegation.
Israeli law prohibits the entry of non-citizens and non-residents which support the international boycott movement led by the Palestinians, known as boycott, divestment and sanctions, or BDS.
Supporters depict BDS as a non -violent activism based on a similar campaign against apartheid in South Africa. Israel considers movement as an attack on its legitimacy and accuses certain anti -Semitism organizers, allegations they deny.
In February, Israel denied entry to two European Union legislators, accusing one of promoting the country’s boycotts.
& Copy 2025 the Canadian press
