What started as a routine trip for two Labour MPs turned into a full-blown international row this weekend, dragging some of the UK’s top political figures into a heated war of words.
The drama unfolded when Yuan Yang and Abtisam Mohamed were detained at the Israeli border and promptly deported—an action that has prompted fierce reactions from both sides of the political aisle.
Labour MPs Deported After Arrival in Israel
Yang and Mohamed had flown into Israel as part of a planned delegation to visit humanitarian and community projects in the West Bank.
But soon after arriving, they were stopped by Israeli officials, questioned, and then sent back home.
According to Israeli authorities, the pair weren’t welcome due to alleged intentions to “document the activities of security forces” and “spread anti-Israel hatred.”
The two MPs, who only entered Parliament last July, were stunned by the treatment, saying they were on a peaceful fact-finding mission.
In their joint statement, they stressed that their goal was to engage with local charities and gain firsthand insight into the region’s humanitarian issues—not to stir controversy.
Kemi Badenoch Says Israel Has Every Right to Refuse Entry
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch wasn’t shy about where she stood on the matter.
In interviews with both the BBC and Sky News, she firmly backed Israel’s decision, saying every country should have the right to control who enters its borders.
“I’m not surprised they were turned away,” Badenoch said, referencing Israel’s claims that the MPs were there to cause trouble.
She went on to say that MPs should be “people who can go anywhere in the world without raising red flags.”
And in a sharp dig at Labour, she added, “Perhaps they should focus on the UK’s national interests instead of promoting propaganda or campaigning for airports in Kashmir.”
David Lammy and Labour Fire Back
Foreign Secretary David Lammy didn’t hold back. He slammed Badenoch’s remarks as “disgraceful” and criticized her for “cheerleading” another country’s detention of British lawmakers.
In a fiery post on social media, Lammy asked if she held the same stance when Tory MPs were banned from entering China.
“This government should be standing up for the rights of all British MPs—no matter their party,” he said.
He also issued a strongly worded statement calling the treatment of Yang and Mohamed “unacceptable, counterproductive, and deeply concerning,” emphasizing that parliamentarians must be allowed to speak freely and travel safely.
Even Tories Are Split Over the Issue
Interestingly, not everyone in Badenoch’s own party is backing her up.
Tory MP Richard Fuller, who sits on the shadow cabinet, appeared to push back gently against his leader.
He told Times Radio that any MP on an official trip should be welcomed abroad, noting that these visits help lawmakers get a clearer picture of global issues.
Senior Labour MP Dame Emily Thornberry also joined the criticism, calling Badenoch’s comments “nonsense” and saying that the Israeli government’s explanation shouldn’t be taken at face value.
She defended both MPs as “highly respected” future leaders and said Israel had made a mistake by treating them this way.
Israel Stands Firm and Defends Its Decision
Israel, for its part, is sticking to its story. The country’s embassy in the UK issued a statement saying Yang and Mohamed were barred for actively promoting sanctions, spreading falsehoods, and calling for boycotts.
The visit, they said, wasn’t about diplomacy or charity—it was designed to provoke.
Officials insisted they were simply enforcing their laws—just like the UK would if someone tried to enter with harmful intentions.
A Bigger Debate About Borders, Diplomacy, and Free Speech
Beyond the immediate fallout, this incident has opened up a broader conversation about diplomacy, freedom of expression, and how far a country can—or should—go to protect its interests.
While Badenoch insists this is about border control and national security, critics argue it’s a troubling sign of how far political divisions are now spilling onto the global stage.
For Yang and Mohamed, it was a missed opportunity to see the impact of the Israel-Palestine conflict up close.
For everyone else, it’s a stark reminder of how tense things remain—both in the Middle East and in UK politics.