Yang, who represents Earley and Woodley in Berkshire, and Mohamed, the MP for Sheffield Central, both flew into Ben Gurion airport from Luton with their aides, according to reports
The foreign secretary has criticised Israeli authorities for denying two Labour MPs entry into the country and deporting them. Yuan Yang and Abtisam Mohamed were rejected because they were suspected of plans to “document the activities of security forces and spread anti-Israel hatred”, according to a statement from the Israeli immigration ministry cited by Sky News and Politics UK.
Yang, who represents Earley and Woodley in Berkshire, and Mohamed, the MP for Sheffield Central, both flew into Ben Gurion airport from Luton with their aides, according to reports. The foreign secretary, David Lammy, said in a statement on Saturday: “It is unacceptable, counterproductive, and deeply concerning that two British MPs on a parliamentary delegation to Israel have been detained and refused entry by the Israeli authorities.
“I have made clear to my counterparts in the Israeli government that this is no way to treat British parliamentarians, and we have been in contact with both MPs tonight to offer our support. The UK government’s focus remains securing a return to the ceasefire and negotiations to stop the bloodshed, free the hostages and end the conflict in Gaza.”
Since renewed military operations last month ended a short-lived truce in its war with Hamas, Israel has pushed to seize territory in the Gaza Strip in what it said was a strategy to force militants to free hostages still in captivity. The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said 1,249 people have been killed since Israel resumed intense bombing last month, bringing the overall death toll since the war began to 50,609.
No 10 rejects Lammy suggestion
Meanwhile, Downing Street has rejected suggestions by the foreign secretary that the latest wave of US tariffs marks the return of a new era of “protectionism”. Earlier David Lammy said the British people would be “very concerned” about the impact of President Donald Trump’s announcement, which means nearly all UK exports to the US are facing a 10% levy from Saturday.
The government has said it is focused on ongoing negotiations to strike a deal with the US but it has not ruled out retaliating. Global stock markets have slumped since Wednesday’s announcement of blanket 10% tariffs, with higher rates for countries branded the “worst offenders” in their trade policies by Trump.
Asked whether it was time for the UK to stand up to Trump, Lammy, who was meeting Nato counterparts in Brussels, told reporters: “I regret the return to protectionism in the United States, something that we’ve not seen for nearly a century.” He said negotiations to agree an economic deal with the US were ongoing, adding: “We have been absolutely clear that all options are on the table as we ensure the national interests of the British people, who will be very concerned at this time about how this affects the bottom line for them and their economic welfare.”
Protectionism is attempting to boost domestic industries using restrictions like tariffs, to shield them from foreign competition. It became widespread in the 1930s, as countries sought to protect their economies from a global depression. The idea is that it encourages companies and consumers to buy locally-produced goods. However, critics say this will push up prices, as firms pass on increased costs to customers.
If some companies import fewer foreign goods this would increase demand for local products, which could also push up prices. Asked whether the foreign secretary had been speaking for the government when he said he regretted the “return to protectionism”, a Number 10 spokesman said: “You have the foreign secretary’s words, and you have the prime minister’s words from yesterday.
“This is not a short-term tactical exercise, it’s the beginning of a new era… we have to understand the changing world when it comes to trade and the economy.” On Thursday, Starmer said the tariffs would “clearly” have an economic impact on the UK and globally, as he warned of a “new era”. Pressed over whether the PM would characterise it as a “new era of protectionism”, the spokesman said: “No, I wouldn’t characterise it in any particular way apart from the fact that the global economic landscape is shifting, and we need to shift with it.”
On Thursday, Trump claimed Starmer was “very happy” with how the UK had been treated, adding that the pair “have a very good dialogue”.
Asked whether this characterisation was accurate, Downing Street said the government was “disappointed” by the tariffs on the UK. However, ministers have also suggested the lower rate levied on the UK compared to other countries “vindicated” the government’s approach
The prime minister is expected to hold calls with international leaders this weekend to discuss how to respond to the new tariffs. It is understood the conversations are likely to be with European and Commonwealth leaders, with no call to President Trump currently anticipated. The UK is drawing up a list of US products it could hit with retaliatory tariffs if a deal is not reached. However, the government is hoping that negotiations with the US can avoid the need for this. The UK exported almost £60bn worth of goods to the US last year, mainly machinery, cars and pharmaceuticals. A separate 25% tariff has been put on UK car exports, as well as steel and aluminium products.
The government’s official forecaster estimates that a worst-case scenario of a trade war, with 20% tariffs between the US and the rest of the world, could reduce UK economic growth by 1%. This would wipe out the headroom the chancellor has to meet her spending and borrowing rules, and could mean further tax rises or spending cuts.
