Israel’s decision to deny entry to two MPs “smacks of racism”, a Labour backbencher has claimed.

Melanie Ward, the former leader of a Palestinian aid agency, suggested her colleagues – who are women of colour – would not have been deported if they were white.

Yuan Yang and Abtisam Mohamed were turned away by Israel on Saturday when they tried to enter the country as part of parliamentary delegation. 

They have both been highly critical of Israel’s actions in Gaza, and were accused of plotting to spread “anti-Israel hatred”.

The decision to deport them angered the Government, with David Lammy, the Foreign Secretary, calling it “unacceptable”.

It led to a row with Kemi Badenoch, the Tory leader, who defended Israel’s right to deny the MPs entry, saying she was “not surprised” by the decision.