Kemi Badenoch has clashed with David Lammy over the Foreign Secretary’s criticism of Israel’s decision to deny two Labour MPs entry into the country.
Appearing on television on Sunday, the Tory leader attempted to defend the decision of the Israeli government’s move telling the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg countries must be able to “control their borders”.
Badenoch said she accepted Israel’s claim that Labour MPs Abtisam Mohamed and Yuan Yang were attempting to spread anti-Israel hate speech.Two Labour MPs denied entry to Israel and deported
And she said it was “shocking” and “significant” that there were Labour MPs that “other countries” would not allow in their country.
Responding to her comments, the Foreign Secretary posted on X:”Kemi Badenoch, it’s disgraceful you are cheerleading another country for detaining and deporting two British MPs.
“Do you say the same about Tory MPs banned from China? This government will continue to stand up for the rights of our MPs to speak their mind, whatever their party.”
David Lammy. Pic: PA
In a post on X responding to the Foreign Secretary’s criticism, Badenoch added: “Unlike China, Israel is our ally and a democracy. A good Foreign Sec would be able to make that distinction.
“Perhaps Labour MPs could put UK national interest first and do their jobs instead of campaigning for airports in Kashmir or promoting Hamas propaganda in parliament.”
Badenoch’s stance immediately raised questions over her view on the decision by China to ban five Tory MPs from entering the country because of their work highlighting human rights abuses by the goverment there.
Robert Peston, ITV’s political editor and politics show presenter, also posted:”Quite a moment, I thought, when Kemi Badenoch showed more solidarity with the Israeli government than with the two Labour MPs who have been refused entry to Israel and sent back to the UK. ”
While Labour MPs has led voiciferous opposition to the Israeli government in the Commons, there has been increased criticism from the Tory benches in recent years.‘Vital to witness situation in West Bank firsthand’ say Labour MPs banned from Israel
Former Tory minister Kit Malthouse has been among those to call for boycotts of settlement goods and has repeatedly accused the Labour government of being too soft on Israel.
