No.10 says its counterproductive for Israel to detain British MPs from any political party
David Lammy has spoken with the Israeli foreign minister over the weekend 'to make clear our position', Downing Street confirms
Lee Harpin is the Jewish News's political editor
Keir Starmer believes it is counterproductive for Israel to detain MPs from any political party and shares concerns raised by the Foreign Secretary over the refusal to allow two Labour MPs into the country, Downing Street has confirmed.
A No.10 spokesperson said Israel’s decision to refuse MPs Yuan Yang and Abtisam Mohamed entry into the country was not the way “to treat British parliamentarians.”
“The government has been in touch with the two MPs to offer our support,” Downing Street said on Monday.
“When it comes to the Israeli government, the Foreign Secretary has spoken with the Israeli foreign minister over the weekend to make clear our position.”
Referencing the response of David Lammy to the incident on Saturday, No.10 said the PM “would echo” such sentiments.
Asked if Starmer shared Foreign Secretary’s criticism of Tory leader Kemi Badenoch’s remarks, the Downing Street spokesperson said he would.
They added: “This isn’t about party politics.
“It’s about standing up for British parliamentarians. That’s why we think it is counterproductive to detain British MPs. ”
No.10 also said that the PM views the deaths of Palestinian Red Crescent medics in Gaza as “an outrage” and he now expects a transparent investigation to take place, with those responsible for the deaths held to account.
“We are focused on how we can see a return to the ceasefire, freeing the hostages and ending the bloodshed,” the spokesperson added.
Starmer does not share the view of one of the two parliamentarians – MP Mohamed – that Israel is committing “ethnic cleansing” in the West Bank and Gaza, his spokesperson said.
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
