MEND Statement on Israel’s Detention and Deportation of Labour MPs Abtisam Mohamed and Yuan Yang

MEND unequivocally condemns Israel’s decision to detain and deport Labour MPs Abtisam Mohamed and Yuan Yang. This is yet another blatant attempt by the Israeli state to conceal its ongoing violations of international law and crimes against humanity, including the systematic oppression and genocide of the Palestinian people.

The MPs were part of an official parliamentary delegation visiting the Occupied West Bank, organised by the Council for Arab-British Understanding (CAABU) and Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP). Denying entry to elected British officials and their assistants is an insult not only to them, but to the UK Parliament and the British public they represent.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy has rightly called the move “unacceptable, counterproductive, and deeply concerning”. However, Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has unapologetically defended Israel’s decision, asserting that “countries should be able to control their borders” and accusing Labour MPs of “promoting Hamas propaganda”. Her attempt to politicise this serious incident is deeply egregious and indicative of a broader effort to deflect from Israel’s suppression of legitimate scrutiny and its systematic silencing of those who seek to hold it to account.

MEND stands in solidarity with Ms Mohamed and Ms Yang and calls on all party leaders in Westminster to also condemn Israel’s decision. Furthermore, we ask what representations the government will be making to the Israeli authorities to demand the immediate reversal of this decision and to ensure that such actions are not repeated in the future.

MEND also reiterates its call for the government to end its complicity in Israel’s genocide in Gaza by imposing a full arms embargo, demanding an immediate lifting of the Israeli blockade, and calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire.