A coalition comprising of UK lawyers, legal academics and former members of the judiciary issued an open letter on Wednesday to the UK government. The letter seeks intervention against the escalating humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip and comes amidst increasing calls for suspension of UK’s arms sales to Israel, following an attack on aid workers from the World Central Kitchen.
The initial initiative for the letter was taken on October 26, captured in a previous letter by legal professionals expressing deep concerns about the UK government’s responsibility to prevent complicity in major breaches of international humanitarian law in Gaza. In the wake of recent adverse developments worsening the situation in Gaza, the authors felt compelled to underscore the urgent need for intervention.
The open letter highlighted the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) January 26 provisional order, which discerned a credible risk of genocide in Gaza. The Gaza’s humanitarian conditions have deteriorated even further since that order, as evidenced by the threat of famine, targeting of civilian populations, and a potential ground offensive from Israel Defense Forces (IDF) that could result in substantial civilian casualties.
In response to the worsening crisis, the letter presents five specific actions that the UK government should take, grounded in international legal principles and obligations:
- Active and effective work towards a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, aligning with international peace and stability efforts in the region.
- Ensuring that measures for safe access to and delivery of essential goods and medical assistance to Palestinians in Gaza are put in place. This includes continuous UK funding to UNRWA, acknowledging the crucial role humanitarian agencies play in alleviating suffering.
- Imposing targeted sanctions on individuals and entities instigating ‘genocide’ against Palestinians, reflecting a commitment to accountability and justice under international law.
- Suspension of supply of weapons and weapons systems to the Israeli government, in accordance with international norms meant to prevent escalation of armed conflict and protect civilian lives.
- Calling off the 2030 Road Map for UK-Israeli bilateral relations and negotiations towards an enhanced trade agreement. A comprehensive review of the UK’s trade agreement with Israel should be undertaken, contemplating potential targeted sanctions in response to the ongoing violations of international law.
The open letter bears the signatures of a broad selection of legal professionals, including former Supreme Court justices, retired judges, legal academics and practitioners.