UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy has described the recent detention of two British Members of Parliament by Israeli authorities as “unacceptable,” further straining diplomatic ties between the two countries.
The MPs, who were on a fact-finding mission to the occupied Palestinian territories, were reportedly held for several hours upon arrival at Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport. Israeli officials claimed the MPs posed a security concern due to their public support for Palestinian rights, a claim the UK government strongly refutes.
Lammy, speaking to the press in London, condemned the incident, stating that elected officials should not be subjected to such treatment, especially when on official parliamentary business. He stressed that the UK would seek a full explanation from the Israeli government and consider the implications for future diplomatic engagements.
The incident has sparked outrage among human rights groups and opposition lawmakers, many of whom have called for a formal review of UK-Israel relations, particularly concerning freedom of movement and political expression.