“An attack on us all” – Carmichael condemns Israeli ban on UK MP delegation

Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has today in Parliament criticised the actions of the Israeli government in blocking two UK MPs from travelling to Israel on a parliamentary delegation. Speaking during a ministerial statement on Monday evening, Mr Carmichael voiced concern that the block could be a precursor to a full Israeli closure of international access to the occupied West Bank.

Abtisam Mohamed MP and Yuan Yang MP flew to Israel from London Luton Airport with two aides on Saturday afternoon, but were refused entry despite having previously been cleared by the Israeli government. Foreign Secretary David Lammy described the move as “unacceptable, counterproductive, and deeply concerning”.

The Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch defended the block on Sunday, stating Israel had a right to “control its borders”, while its frontbench spokesperson also refused to criticise the action during the ministerial statement.

Mr Carmichael is Chair of the Council for Arab-British Understanding, the not-for-profit cross-party organisation whose mission is “to work for a British Middle East policy that promotes conflict resolution, human rights and civil society in the Arab world through informed debate and mutual understanding”.

Speaking in the House, Mr Carmichael said:

“This is a delegation that was organised by the Council for Arab-British Understanding and it is my enormous privilege to serve as the Chair of that organisation. Caabu has organised dozens of delegations of this sort over the years, and with the support – if it is to be necessary – of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development office, we would hope to continue doing so in the future.

“The attack on the Honourable Members is an attack on us all, and that is why the position of the Opposition frontbench today is so utterly regrettable. We know that Israel has closed off Gaza in recent years; it now looks as if they are going to do the same thing for the West Bank. What is the minister going to do to ensure that they are not allowed to do that?”

Responding for the government, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office minister Hamish Falconer MP said:

“I hope to see parliamentary delegations by Caabu and others continue. It is a delegation in line with many, many such delegations that have been supported by Caabu and many other organisations, in order to ensure that parliamentarians can travel and see things for themselves, and I hope they continue.” 

Reacting after the exchange, Mr Carmichael said:

“I am proud to have supported Caabu and other efforts over the years to build bridges in the Middle East and to build greater understanding of the issues faced by people in Israel and Palestine. 

“The bar on British MPs by Israel is unprecedented and should be condemned by all sides of Parliament in solidarity. It is an abject embarrassment that the Conservative Party is not joining in that condemnation.”