An open letter signed by more than 800 lawyers, academics and former judges has been published, demanding the UK government impose sanctions on the Israeli government to “prevent and punish genocide” in Gaza.
The letter addressed to Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday called on the British government to take concrete action to halt the “serious violations of international law” being committed by Israel.
The letter also called on the UK to confirm it would adhere to its obligation to execute arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The ICC has issued arrest warrants for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defence Minister, Yoav Gallant, for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza, while the country also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for war crimes against civilians.
“Genocide is being perpetrated in Gaza or, at a minimum, there is a serious risk of genocide occurring,” the letter stated, adding that war crimes, crimes against humanity, and serious violations of international humanitarian law were also taking place.
The letter quoted recent comments by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who expressed Israel’s intention to “take control of all the territory of the Gaza Strip” and “conquer, cleanse and stay – until Hamas is destroyed.”
To achieve their desired goal of punishing Israel for their many crimes against the Palestinian people, the letter called on the government to impose sanctions on Israeli government ministers and other civil and military figures “reasonably suspected of involvement in unlawful conduct”, and to review existing trade ties with Israel, impose trade sanctions, and suspend a roadmap for a closer UK-Israel partnership.
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The UK has already suspended negotiations of a new trade deal with Israel just last week.
The letter did note the recent statement by the leaders of the UK, France and Canada that the suffering in Gaza was “intolerable”, welcoming the indication that the governments appeared to be preparing to take some kind of more meaningful action.
Many activists have condemned the UK for applying what they consider to be weak measures which fail to apply any genuine pressure on Israel’s leaders to stop crimes being committed.
A previous open letter from UK lawyers last year said the UK was breaking international law by arming Israel.
Israel’s war on Gaza has killed at least 54,056 Palestinians and wounded 123,129, according to Gaza’s Ministry of Health. The Government Media Office has updated its death toll to more than 61,700, saying thousands missing beneath the rubble are presumed dead.
