Two Labour MPs who were denied entry to Israel said they were “astonished” by the decision.
Abtisam Mohamed and Yuan Yang said it was “vital” that parliamentarians could “see with their own eyes” the situation on the ground in Palestine.
On Saturday evening, David Lammy said he was “deeply concerned” they had been denied entry into the country.
In a joint statement published on the X website on Sunday, Ms Mohamed and Ms Yang said: “We are appalled by the Israeli authorities' unprecedented move to deny entry to British MPs during our visit to the occupied West Bank.
“It is vital that parliamentarians have the opportunity to see for themselves the situation in the occupied Palestinian territory.”
A statement posted on Ms Mohamed X's page said they had “spoken out in Parliament in recent months” about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and “MPs should be free to speak the truth in the House of Commons without fear of reprisal”.
They said they were travelling with charity partners as part of a parliamentary delegation “to visit humanitarian aid projects and communities in the West Bank.”
Ms Young represents the constituency of Earley and Woodley in Berkshire, while Ms Mohamed represents Sheffield Central. Both were elected to parliament in July last year.
The UK Foreign Secretary said he had made it “clear” to his colleagues in the Israeli government that “this is not how British MPs are treated”.
In a statement on Saturday evening, Mr Lammy said: “It is unacceptable, counterproductive and deeply concerning that two British MPs on the parliamentary delegation to Israel have been detained and denied entry by the Israeli authorities.”
“I have made it clear to my colleagues in the Israeli government that this is not how British MPs are treated and we have contacted both MPs this evening to offer them our support.
“The UK government remains focused on returning to a ceasefire and negotiations to stop the bloodshed, free the hostages and end the conflict in Gaza.”
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
