Kemi Badenoch, the leader of the Conservative Party, found herself at the center of controversy this week after defending Israel’s decision to deny entry to two Labour MPs, Yuan Yang and Abtisam Mohamed.
The MPs were detained and deported after arriving in Israel this weekend for a parliamentary delegation.
While the MPs were attempting to visit humanitarian projects in the West Bank, Israeli authorities claimed that the duo’s intention was to document the activities of security forces and spread anti-Israel rhetoric.
The MPs’ Experience and Reaction
Yuan Yang, representing Earley and Woodley, and Abtisam Mohamed, MP for Sheffield Central, expressed their shock and dismay over the treatment they received at the hands of Israeli officials.
The MPs, who were part of an official delegation, were attempting to visit charity initiatives in the West Bank but were detained and barred from entry.
In a joint statement, they condemned their treatment, describing it as unprecedented and emphasizing the importance of parliamentarians being able to witness situations firsthand.
The Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, also condemned Israel’s actions, calling them “unacceptable.”
However, Kemi Badenoch’s response was notably different, as she backed Israel’s right to control its borders and expressed concern over the fact that Labour MPs were denied entry into another country.
Badenoch’s Response and Support for Israel
When questioned on the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg show, Badenoch explained that she believed every nation had the right to regulate who enters its borders.
She stated that Israel’s refusal to allow the Labour MPs into the country was significant and showed that other nations might not always welcome UK parliamentarians.
Badenoch further noted that Israel’s reasoning—based on suspicions that the MPs wouldn’t comply with Israeli laws—was valid.
Badenoch continued to stress that MPs should be free to travel without causing any concern to the nations they visit, but she drew a comparison with how the UK also refuses entry to certain individuals.
Her comments were quickly criticized by senior Labour figures, including Lammy and Emily Thornberry, the chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee.
Opposition and Criticism from Labour Figures
Lammy immediately hit back on social media, accusing Badenoch of “cheerleading” for another country, especially in a situation where two British MPs were detained.
He reminded her of the government’s stance on protecting MPs’ rights to speak freely, regardless of their political affiliations.
Emily Thornberry, visibly outraged, suggested that Badenoch had blindly accepted Israel’s explanation without considering the broader implications for British parliamentarians.
Both MPs voiced strong support for Yang and Mohamed, who, according to Thornberry, were highly respected figures in Parliament and future leaders.
Thornberry expressed concern that Israel’s actions could alienate MPs and harm its relationship with the UK.
Reactions from Conservative and Liberal Democrat MPs
While many in Labour criticized Badenoch’s stance, some members of the Conservative Party seemed to disagree with their leader’s position.
Conservative MP Richard Fuller, the shadow chief secretary to the Treasury, argued that MPs should be welcomed in any country on an official visit.
He stressed that such trips were intended to help MPs become better informed and then report back to the UK Parliament.
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey also criticized Badenoch for what he deemed “unbelievably poor judgement” in failing to support the two MPs.
He described her response as another “shock” in a series of missteps by the Conservative Party.
Israel’s Justification and the Government’s Response
In a statement issued by Israel’s UK embassy, the government justified the denial of entry, claiming that Yang and Mohamed had been spreading falsehoods and promoting anti-Israel campaigns.
Israel’s embassy made it clear that the two MPs’ visit was seen as provocative and aimed at undermining the state of Israel.
While tensions continue to rise over this issue, the UK government, including Foreign Secretary David Lammy, has reiterated its commitment to standing up for British MPs.
Lammy has expressed his concern over the treatment of British parliamentarians by foreign governments and underscored the importance of diplomatic support in such situations.
Conclusion
As the situation develops, both Kemi Badenoch’s stance and Israel’s actions remain key points of contention within UK politics.
The episode has sparked an ongoing debate about the rights of MPs, international relations, and the treatment of elected officials abroad.
For now, the MPs involved in the incident continue to receive widespread support from their peers, with many calling for further diplomatic efforts to prevent such occurrences in the future.
