‘Unacceptable and depth related’: British minister condemns Israel’s custody of British MPs

The Middle East Minister, Hamish Falkner, has condemned the treatment of two British MPs who were detained and refused to enter Israel over the weekend, the move is called “deepening” during a statement by “unacceptable” and “deeply” the house of comments.
Yuan Yang, MP for Arle and Woodley, and MP for Sheffield Central, both, were both admitted before traveling as part of a parliamentary delegation for Israel and occupied Palestinian areas. However, on arrival at Tel Aviv Airport, they were held for six hours by Israeli immigration officers. Falkner told the MPs, “When I talked to him at 8.30 pm, he believed that he was to be detained overnight without his mobile phone.”
After the intervention by Foreign Secretary David Lamy and Falkner, MPs were released with detention but still stopped from entering Israel. He was blown back in Britain on Sunday morning.
“This is my understanding that this is the first time a British MP has been stopped from entering Israel,” Falkner said. “This decision appears to be taken based on the comments made in this room.” He said, “This is no way to treat democratically elected representatives of a close partner nation. We have clarified this at the highest level in Israel.”
Falkner confirmed that Foreign Office officials were involved in assisting MPs and paying tribute to the pair, who said “behaved with great dignity”. He said that he had planned to visit Gaza and West Bank to visit human projects to see the impact of ongoing struggle and growing violence.
He said, “These trips are common for MPs from this house and from all parties,” he said, more than 160 MPs have participated in similar visits, often supported by groups such as the council on medical aid for Palestinians and Arabs on British understanding.
Falkner warned the Israeli government that stopping MPs “will only damage the image of the Israeli government in the eyes of honorable members in the House.” He also addressed a widespread crisis in Gaza, citing the deaths of 15 paramedics in Rafah on 23 March and reiterated the UK calls for a ceasefire. He said, “15 paramedics and murder of rescue workers were one of the most deadly attacks on human employees since the war started,” he said. “These deaths are a displeasure and we should see a transparent investigation of the incident.”
“A ceasefire is the only way we will end the struggle,” he said.