A coalition of British lawyers, jurists and former justice officials on Wednesday published an open letter to the British government calling for action on the escalating humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip. The letter comes amid growing calls for the British government to end arms sales to Israel following attacks on aid workers by World Central Kitchen.
Wednesday's letter traces its origins to an earlier letter dated October 26, in which legal experts expressed deep concerns about the UK government's responsibility to prevent its complicity in serious violations of international humanitarian law in Gaza. Since then, the authors of the letter noted, significant events have developed and the dire situation has worsened, necessitating emergency intervention.
The letter highlighted the International Court of Justice's (ICJ) interim order of January 26, which concluded that there was a substantial risk of genocide in Gaza. Since the order, the letter described how the humanitarian situation in Gaza has deteriorated. Civilians in Gaza currently face the threat of starvation, targeting of civilians, and possible ground attacks by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) that could result in significant civilian casualties.
In response to the deteriorating situation, the letter called on the UK Government to take five concrete actions based on international legal principles and obligations. The five actions include:
- The UK Government is urged to work proactively and effectively towards a durable ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, in line with international efforts towards peace and stability in the region.
- The UK Government is being urged to ensure that measures are taken to ensure safe access to and provision of essential supplies and medical assistance to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. This includes a firm commitment from the UK to continue funding UNRWA without delay, recognizing the critical role of humanitarian agencies in alleviating suffering.
- Individuals and groups that incite “genocide” against Palestinians should face targeted sanctions, reflecting a commitment to accountability and justice under international law.
- The letter calls for an end to the provision of weapons and weapons systems to the Israeli government, in line with international norms aimed at preventing the escalation of armed conflict and protecting civilian lives.
- Suspend the 2030 roadmap for negotiations to strengthen the UK-Israel bilateral relationship and trade deal. It also advocates for a comprehensive review of the UK-Israel trade agreement, with the possibility of imposing targeted sanctions in response to ongoing breaches of international law.
The letter is signed by a diverse group of legal experts, including former Supreme Court justices, retired judges, legal scholars, and practitioners.
