British Health Secretary Wes Streeting has criticized Israel’s decision to bar two Labour MPs from entering the occupied West Bank, describing it as "shameful but not surprising" amid a parliamentary delegation aimed at assessing humanitarian efforts.

On Tuesday, September 16, 2025, Labour MPs Peter Prinsley (Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket) and Simon Opher (Stroud), both experienced doctors, were denied access at the Allenby Bridge crossing while traveling to observe medical and aid work by organizations like Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP). The MPs, part of a Council for Arab-British Understanding (CAABU)-organized visit, planned to meet British diplomats in Jerusalem, Palestinian and Israeli human rights groups, and inspect healthcare facilities.

In a joint statement, Prinsley and Opher called the refusal "deeply regrettable," noting it prevented them from evaluating challenges in the region firsthand. Streeting echoed this on social media, stating, "Having been on a number of delegations to Israel and Palestine, including with @MedicalAidPal @Caabu, I find the treatment of two highly respected clinicians and Members of Parliament by the Israeli government shameful, but no longer surprising."

Foreign Office Minister Hamish Falconer deemed the move "unacceptable," maintaining contact with the MPs and pressing Israeli authorities. Chris Doyle, CAABU director, argued that observing humanitarian projects should not be subject to veto. The Israeli embassy in London had not responded to requests for comment by Tuesday evening.

This incident follows a similar April denial of entry to Labour MPs Abtisam Mohamed and Yuan Yang on another CAABU-MAP trip, sparking a row. Israel's UK embassy then cited their "false claims" against Israel and promotion of sanctions. Then-Foreign Secretary David Lammy labeled it unacceptable, while the MPs asserted parliamentary freedom to speak truthfully.

Prinsley, an NHS surgeon for 30 years, and Opher, a GP and all-party health group chair, were set to assess aid amid reports of deteriorating West Bank healthcare. Opher told the BBC they were held in a passport office, given a legal form to leave, and escorted to a bus back to Jordan, emphasizing their non-confrontational intent.