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Watch: “Countries should be able to control their borders” – Badenoch on MPs denied entry to Israel
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has faced backlash from various political leaders after expressing support for Israel’s decision to prevent two Labour MPs from entering the country.
Labour MPs Abtisam Mohamed and Yuan Yang were en route to the occupied West Bank to witness conditions firsthand when they were unexpectedly stopped at the airport. Upon their arrival, they were informed that their entry had been denied.
Badenoch defended Israel’s right to manage its borders, stating it was “very significant” that UK Labour MPs were not welcome in certain countries. This assertion has drawn sharp criticism from across the political spectrum.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy condemned Badenoch’s remarks as “disgraceful,” while Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey criticized her for demonstrating “unbelievably poor judgement.” Meanwhile, Conservative MP Richard Fuller expressed concern that MPs on official visits should generally be welcomed abroad, emphasizing the greater implications for democracy.
The two Labour MPs, accompanied by two aides, arrived in Israel from London Luton Airport on Saturday afternoon. The Israeli immigration authority indicated that Interior Minister Moshe Arbel denied entry to all four individuals after questioning them, suggesting they intended to “document the security forces.”
Badenoch made her comments on the BBC’s “Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg” show when asked about Israel’s right to refuse entry to the MPs. “Countries should be able to control their borders,” she remarked. She expressed alarm that Labour MPs are unwelcome in some nations and remarked on the implications this holds.
She further elaborated that arguments presented by the Israeli government indicated a lack of confidence that the MPs would adhere to local laws, suggesting that other nations also restrict entry to certain individuals, a precedent she believes should not be set differently.
In response to Badenoch’s comments, Lammy posted a video excerpt on X, criticizing her for appearing to endorse the detention of British MPs and questioned whether her stance would be the same in instances involving Tory MPs facing similar restrictions in countries like China.
Badenoch countered, asserting that unlike China, Israel is a democratic ally. She implied that Labour MPs should prioritize the UK’s national interests instead of pursuing controversial agendas.
Davey also addressed the situation on X, asserting that Badenoch had once again exhibited poor judgement by failing to support the British MPs. He characterized the situation as a significant error in judgement.
Dame Emily Thornberry, chairwoman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, expressed astonishment at Badenoch’s comments, calling them unacceptable and urging support for fellow parliamentarians exploring the circumstances in Israel and the West Bank.
Fuller, aligning with his colleagues from both sides of the aisle, suggested that the rights of MPs to travel freely should be upheld. He noted that Conservative MPs have similarly faced entry issues in China, affirming his desire to support fellow parliamentarians aiming to gain insights from their travels for the betterment of democratic principles.
Fuller expressed that democracy and freedom are not guaranteed, highlighting the importance of parliamentary access to the global stage. He underscored that MPs undertake trips to better understand situations in different regions and relay that knowledge back to their colleagues in Parliament.
Source
www.bbc.com