← Back to House of Commons Debates
Israel Refusal of Entry for UK Parliamentarians 2025-04-07
07 April 2025
Lead MP
Hamish Falconer
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
Foreign Affairs
Other Contributors: 58
At a Glance
Hamish Falconer raised concerns about israel refusal of entry for uk parliamentarians 2025-04-07 in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
Two Members of this House, Friends the Members for Earley and Woodley (Yuan Yang) and for Sheffield Central (Abtisam Mohamed), were detained and refused entry by Israeli authorities after being granted entry clearance. They were held in immigration for six hours before being released but still denied entry. The Foreign Secretary spoke to his counterpart, the Israeli Foreign Minister, and the Deputy Foreign Minister was also contacted. Such treatment is unacceptable and counterproductive, damaging Israel's image. Visits enrich our knowledge as legislators and create connections with countries, political counterparts, and civil society. We urge all parties to return to ceasefire negotiations for a lasting peace in the region.
Abtisam Mohamed
Lab
Sheffield Central
Thanking the Foreign Secretary, the Minister for the Middle East, and British diplomatic staff in Tel Aviv for their support.
Wendy Morton
Con
Aldridge-Brownhills
Acknowledges that Israel is a key security partner. Emphasises the importance of candid conversations with Israeli authorities to maintain influence on peace and security issues in the Middle East. Questions whether British nationals visiting Israel should be aware of requirements for entry, including longer searches and questioning if they have criticised the state publicly. Inquires about what FCDO would do if MPs were allowed entry but then arrested. Asks for updates on UK Government's engagement with interlocutors on hostage situation and aid to Gaza.
Yuan Yang
Lab
Earley and Woodley
Describes how she was denied entry into Israel as part of a delegation to the West Bank. She emphasises the importance of bearing witness in conflict zones like Gaza and the West Bank, noting that over 1000 references have been made to this issue by British MPs.
David Lammy
Lab
Tottenham
No extracted contribution text available for this contributor yet.
Acknowledges the incident and reiterates that Israel has the right to decide who enters their country. However, he notes that on this occasion, MPs were given clearance to enter.
Esher and Walton
Supports the Minister's rebuke of Israeli Government but is disappointed by lack of unified support in the House. She calls for transparency from Israel on issues like Palestinian detainee torture.
Kit Malthouse
Con
North West Hampshire
Asks about a comprehensive list of MPs who will not be permitted to travel to Israel and questions if high-level military delegations from Israel are still being entertained by the Government.
Emily Thornberry
Lab
Islington South and Finsbury
Expresses disappointment that members of the Opposition Front Bench have not joined in support, emphasising why MPs went to bear witness to issues on the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
Bob Blackman
Con
Harrow East
Acknowledges the sympathies but argues Israel has a right to refuse entry based on certain political stances. He notes that travel advice must be followed for insurance purposes.
Uma Kumaran
Lab
Stratford and Bow
Agrees with importance of parliamentary delegations in understanding conflict zones better, arguing actions by the Israeli Government undermine peace efforts.
Paul Waugh
Lab/Co-op
Rochdale
Waugh condemns Hamas attacks but also criticises Israel's blockade and treatment of Palestinians. He questions the Minister about his stance on protecting MPs from smearing.
Preet Kaur Gill
Lab/Co-op
Birmingham Edgbaston
Gill pays tribute to detained MPs and argues for enabling delegations to visit Israel to learn diverse perspectives. She notes many in the House are disappointed by recent events.
Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey
Leadbitter expresses solidarity with detained MPs and criticises Israel for illegal settlements and targeting UN workers. He asks if the Government will condemn these actions.
Anneliese Dodds
Lab/Co-op
Oxford East
Dodds condemns the position of Opposition Front Benchers regarding detained MPs, arguing it poses a risk to all parliamentarians' rights.
Andrew Murrison
Con
South West Wiltshire
Murrison discusses his experience in facilitating visits to Israel and Palestine. He questions the Minister about conflating China and Israel's actions.
Luke Akehurst
Lab
North Durham
Akehurst supports detained MPs' right to visit the region for an informed view, despite disagreements on conflict aspects. He criticises their detention as outrageous.
West Dorset
Morello expresses support and outrage at detained MPs. He asks about steps to ensure Israel enters negotiations for a two-state solution.
Tahir Ali
Lab
Birmingham Hall Green and Moseley
Ali questions the Government's actions against Israeli Government for detaining MPs and if similar sanctions will be imposed on the Israeli ambassador as with China.
Jeremy Corbyn
Ind
Islington North
Corbyn thanks the Minister for supporting detained MPs. He asks about arms supply to Israel, including F-35 parts and RAF Akrotiri usage.
Sarah Owen
Lab
Constituency not provided
Disagreed with Opposition Front Benchers, condemned Israeli Government for bombing hospitals and schools, reported executions and home destruction by Israel Defence Forces, criticised banning of UK Parliamentarians.
Agreed with Ms. Owen's condemnation of the Leader of the Opposition’s comments, emphasised speaking out against actions in Palestine while respecting entry rights of Israeli Government.
John Cooper
Con
Dumfries and Galloway
Acknowledged difficulty faced by UK MPs but disagreed with opposition's stance on criticism of Israel being impossible.
Dawn Butler
Lab
Brent East
Called for speaking out against Hamas and criticised Israeli Government's actions, demanded acknowledgment from Minister.
Ellie Chowns
Green
North Herefordshire
Condemned detention of MPs as shameful, questioned the Foreign Secretary about further action to show disapproval.
Kim Johnson
Lab
Liverpool Riverside
Asked about Israel's intentions and urged for clear actions by UK Government beyond words.
Sammy Wilson
DUP
East Antrim
Defended Israeli Government’s right to control entry, criticised some MPs for opposing previous US President's visit.
Glasgow West
Called for considering stronger actions against Israel beyond talking due to restrictions on parliamentary delegations.
John Glen
Con
Salisbury
Expressed concern over Israeli Government's decision, respected right but found it counterproductive.
Stella Creasy
Lab/Co-op
Walthamstow
Compared current situation to Russia’s ban on UK parliamentarians in 2022 and criticised Opposition for not standing up against Israeli actions.
Vikki Slade
LD
Mid Dorset and North Poole
Asked for assurance from Minister that he will not be cowed by treatment of UK MPs.
Andy Slaughter
Lab
Hammersmith and Chiswick
Asked about measures to ensure future visits by MPs without fear or interference.
Iqbal Mohamed
Ind
Dewsbury and Batley
Inquired about UK Government's red lines for triggering arms embargo and sanctions on Israel, sought clarification from Minister.
Zubir Ahmed
Lab
Glasgow South West
Asked if Minister is sympathetic to view that detention of MPs is part of silencing criticism and questioned possibility of business-as-usual diplomatic relationship with Israeli Government.
Will Forster
LD
Woking
Inquired about concerns related to settler violence and expansion in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
Joe Powell
Lab
Kensington and Bayswater
Asked for accountability regarding attack on aid workers by IDF and demanded transparency from Israeli Government.
The Foreign Office and the embassy in Tel Aviv, along with consulates in Jerusalem, will support British nationals seeking to travel. They provided assistance to MPs on Saturday night and have supported British pilgrims in similar incidents recently. The Government hopes that parliamentary delegations continue, and they wish for free press operation within the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
Florence Eshalomi
Lab/Co-op
Vauxhall and Camberwell Green
Opposition Members should agree with the whole House to avoid inflaming situations. The treatment of British MPs is a worrying trend, affecting aid workers and journalists as well. The Israeli Government must stop shutting itself off from international scrutiny.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Sovereign nations have the right to decide who can enter, even if it means barring entry for British MPs or Members of Parliament barred from entering China and Russia. The House should respect this sovereignty.
Mark Ferguson
Lab
Gateshead Central and Whickham
The actions by the Israeli Government and Opposition Front Bench are counterproductive and will not command support from the British public.
Helen Hayes
Lab
Dulwich and West Norwood
Delegations enrich our understanding of issues in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Visits ensure that debates are informed by lived experience rather than assumptions. The Minister should continue to seek a commitment from Israel regarding future delegations.
Yasmin Qureshi
Lab
Bolton South and Walkden
Thanks the Minister and Foreign Secretary for their support of two colleagues detained in Israel. Reminds the House that Israel is an occupying power, preventing entry into Gaza and committing atrocities.
Calder Valley
The Israeli Government’s justification for barring MPs is baseless. The Minister should explain at what point Britain changes its posture towards Israel.
Chi Onwurah
Lab
Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West
Honourable Friends were detained with grace, dignity, and fortitude. Lies about aid workers’ deaths and barring journalists and MPs undermine Israel’s claim to be an open democracy.
Warinder Juss
Lab
Wolverhampton West
Israel is not respecting human rights in its treatment of British MPs, which is a further indication of the Israeli Government’s lack of transparency and respect for human rights.
Clapham and Brixton Hill
Welcomes Minister's statement but questions where red lines are drawn when Israel breaks international law or the ceasefire, and how Britain continues to sell arms to Israel.
Darren Paffey
Lab
Southampton Itchen
Supports colleagues over their treatment by Israeli authorities. Such decisions can damage Israel’s reputation here and in the wider world.
Oliver Ryan
Ind
Burnley
Solidarity with detained MPs, disgusted by similar treatment of British citizens visiting holy sites in Jerusalem.
Sarah Smith
Lab
Hyndburn
Echos the concerns raised and finds it deeply troubling that only non-white MPs were detained, urging the Minister to express strong condemnation of these events in future Government discussions.
Aylesbury
Expresses alarm about the denial of entry for international staff aiding Palestinians and criticises the apparent obstruction of aid scrutiny by Israel, advocating for protected access to the Occupied Palestinian Territories for aid and scrutiny.
David Smith
Lab
North Northumberland
Supports the Minister's statement in defence of parliamentary democracy but stresses transparency and accessibility as key elements. Expresses concern about Israel’s actions affecting its own democracy.
James Asser
Lab
West Ham and Beckton
Calls for a united response to protect parliamentary activities from interference by other countries, highlighting the implications of not addressing this issue effectively.
Matt Western
Lab
Warwick and Leamington
Critiques the Leader of the Opposition's comments as extraordinary, noting that his hon. Friends were granted entry clearance to enter Israel and travel to the west bank.
Jas Athwal
Lab
Ilford South
Expresses anger at the denial of entry for MPs to the occupied territories in the west bank by Israeli authorities, urging unity across the House and solidarity with parliamentarians.
Harpreet Uppal
Lab
Huddersfield
Pays tribute to his hon. Friends and urges the Minister to continue conversations with the Israeli ambassador and international partners for aid access in Palestine.
Joe Morris
Lab
Hexham
Expresses horror, outrage and anger at the killing of 15 Palestinian paramedics by IDF and seeks assurance that those responsible will be held accountable.
Peter Swallow
Lab
Bracknell
Calls for action to restore the ceasefire in Gaza, stressing its importance to Palestinians, Israelis and all in the region.
Chris Murray
Lab
Edinburgh East and Musselburgh
Views this pattern of behaviour from Israel as worrying and calls for a toughened diplomatic posture by the UK Government to stand up for values.
Andrew Pakes
Lab
Peterborough
Critiques the Conservative Front-Bencher's silence on the issue, urging the Minister to ensure continued access for learning and sharing in the west bank and focus on addressing crimes of Hamas and securing a ceasefire.
Government Response
The two Members of this House, Friends the Members for Earley and Woodley (Yuan Yang) and for Sheffield Central (Abtisam Mohamed), were detained and refused entry by Israeli authorities after being granted entry clearance. They were held in immigration for six hours before being released but still denied entry. The Foreign Secretary spoke to his counterpart, the Israeli Foreign Minister, and the Deputy Foreign Minister was also contacted. Such treatment is unacceptable and counterproductive, damaging Israel's image. Visits enrich our knowledge as legislators and create connections with countries, political counterparts, and civil society. We urge all parties to return to ceasefire negotiations for a lasting peace in the region. Acknowledges the incident but notes that Israel has the right to decide who enters their country. He mentions that discussions are ongoing with the Israeli government about future travel of MPs. Falconer supports continued parliamentary delegations and criticises Israeli actions against MPs as counterproductive and unacceptable. He outlines previous positions on arms supply suspensions. Defended the characterisation of Israeli actions, supported right to entry control while condemning treatment of UK MPs. Emphasised that government has taken action since formation. The Foreign Office and the embassy in Tel Aviv will support all British nationals seeking to travel. Israel has a right to control entry but the Government hopes parliamentary delegations continue and free press operates within Occupied Palestinian Territories. Expresses concerns about the incident, condemns the treatment of humanitarian workers, highlights the importance of free press and safe travel for journalists. Reiterates that parliamentary delegations should continue to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, hoping this incident is an aberration.
Shadow Response
Wendy Morton
Shadow Response
Acknowledges that Israel is a key security partner. Emphasises the importance of candid conversations with Israeli authorities to maintain influence on peace and security issues in the Middle East. Questions whether British nationals visiting Israel should be aware of requirements for entry, including longer searches and questioning if they have criticised the state publicly. Inquires about what FCDO would do if MPs were allowed entry but then arrested. Asks for updates on UK Government's engagement with interlocutors on hostage situation and aid to Gaza.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy
About House of Commons Debates
House of Commons debates take place in the main chamber of the House of Commons. These debates cover a wide range of topics including government policy, legislation, and current affairs. MPs from all parties can participate, question ministers, and hold the government accountable for its decisions.