Quaker MP refused entry to Israel
'‘This war has been the deadliest on record for journalists...'
The Quaker Yuan Yang was one of two MPs left ‘astounded’ when they were denied entry to Israel last weekend.
The Labour MP for Earley and Woodley was deported alongside Abisam Mohamed, MP for Sheffield Central, as 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.
As a political row broke out, David Lammy, UK foreign secretary, described the move as ‘disgraceful’.
According to Sky News, Yuan Yang, the first China-born MP in the House of Commons, has only spoken on one issue about Israel-Gaza since entering office last July. This was after the ceasefire deal was declared on 16 January when she called on the government to ensure journalists could continue to work safely in Gaza. ‘This war has been the deadliest on record for journalists, so what can the government do to ensure that all journalists in Palestine, including my former colleagues, can do their job without fear for their lives?’ she said.
She later tweeted, on 28 February, that ‘many’ of her former colleagues have been ‘repeatedly denied entry into the region’. She added: ‘Palestinian journalists stuck in Gaza have been working in deadly conditions and fear being targeted while working. Media freedom and access is a core part of democracy, and reporters must be allowed into Gaza to be able to accurately report on the continued humanitarian situation.’
The Israeli government has strongly denied targeting journalists during the conflict with Hamas in Gaza.
