Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has faced criticism from senior politicians across the political spectrum after she supported Israel’s decision to bar two UK Labour MPs from entering the country.
Abtisam Mohamed and Yuan Yang expressed their surprise at being stopped at the airport, as they were in Israel to visit the occupied West Bank and witness the situation firsthand.
Badenoch told the BBC that Israel had the right to “control its borders” and emphasized that it was significant that Labour MPs were being refused entry to countries.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy condemned her comments as “disgraceful,” while Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey criticized her for showing “unbelievably poor judgment.”
Mohamed and Yang, alongside their aides, arrived in Israel on Saturday from London Luton Airport. The Israeli immigration authority said they were denied entry by Interior Minister Moshe Arbel after being questioned. The authority accused them of planning to “document the security forces.”
Badenoch initially made her comments during an interview on the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg show when asked whether Israel had the right to deny entry to the MPs. She stated, “Countries should be able to control their borders,” and added, “What I think is shocking is that we have MPs in Labour who other countries will not allow through, I think that’s very significant.”
Badenoch further argued that MPs should be able to travel freely to any country without concern about their activities there, and that Israel had denied entry due to concerns about the MPs’ compliance with Israeli laws.
In response to criticism, Lammy posted on X, “It’s disgraceful you are cheerleading another country for detaining and deporting two British MPs.” He asked if Badenoch would hold the same stance regarding Tory MPs banned from China.
Badenoch defended her comments, highlighting Israel’s status as a “democracy” and an ally. She questioned whether Labour MPs might prioritize the national interest over political campaigns.
Further criticism came from Ed Davey, who expressed his dismay at Badenoch’s judgment. Foreign Affairs Committee chair Dame Emily Thornberry described Badenoch’s remarks as “nonsense,” stressing the importance of standing in solidarity with fellow parliamentarians who were visiting Israel and the West Bank to understand the situation.
Tory MP Richard Fuller, who had personal experience with similar issues in China, expressed his support for the freedom of MPs to travel on official trips to countries like Israel, emphasizing that “democracies are under threat,” and MPs should be allowed free passage.
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