Two Labour MPs were detained, questioned and barred from entering Israel last week. They were part of a delegation to Israel and the West Bank visiting human rights groups organised by Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) and the worthy Council for Arab-British Understanding and Medical Aid for Palestinians.

The Israeli government said that the MPs, who had “accused Israel of false claims”, were planning to “document the activities of security forces and spread anti-Israel hatred” and were “actively involved in promoting sanctions against Israeli ministers” – a reference to a cross-party letter calling for a ban on Israeli settlement goods in line with international law.

Caabu and MAP have run parliamentary delegations to the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, for over a decade, enabling British parliamentarians from all parties to learn about the humanitarian and health situation there, and meet Palestinian communities. This visit was part of that long-standing programme.

The Foreign Minister, David Lammy, said Israel’s actions were “counter-productive, and deeply concerning. I have made clear to my counterparts in the Israeli government that this is no way to treat British parliamentarians, and we have been in contact with both MPs tonight to offer our support.” Whether the Israelis will take any notice is another matter…