A group of Palestinian-British individuals has initiated legal proceedings against British Petroleum (BP), accusing the company of aiding and abetting war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. The allegations center around BP’s ongoing supply of crude oil to Israel, facilitated by the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) Pipeline, during intensified military operations in the region since October 2023. This legal action is spearheaded by Bindmans LLP and is supported by the International Centre of Justice for Palestinians.
The plaintiffs have issued a comprehensive 36-page Letter Before Claim to BP, detailing accusations that the company breached international human rights standards by supplying oil to Israel, thereby sustaining its military actions. The claim implicates both BP plc and the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan Pipeline Company (BTC Co). According to the claimants, BP’s actions violate international law principles such as the U.N. Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the prohibition of complicity in war crimes under customary international law. They also point to discrepancies between BP’s conduct and its own Human Rights Policy, which mandates avoiding participation in human rights abuses.
The claims are further reinforced by a 2024 ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which recognized a “real and imminent risk” of genocide in Gaza. Despite such assessments, BP is accused of continuing to facilitate crucial oil supplies used in military operations. The plaintiffs include individuals who have endured significant personal losses owing to the conflict, including casualties within their families caused by airstrikes and severe humanitarian distress.
Bindmans LLP demands that BP stop oil supply to Israel through the BTC Pipeline and fully disclose documents related to these operations. The legal action also seeks an acknowledgment of liability, mediation to assess damages, and a public apology from BP. Tayab Ali, Head of International Law at Bindmans LLP, emphasized the critical need for corporate accountability, pointing to the urgency of the humanitarian situation in Gaza. He remarked, “This legal action marks a new phase in accountability for those complicit in alleged war crimes. The evidence suggests BP’s failures to adhere to its human rights policies have significantly contributed to the humanitarian disaster in Gaza.” Ali has previously stated his commitment to resisting any moves by the British Government to obstruct legal actions against suspected war criminals.
This latest development follows the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) recent arrest warrants issued for significant Hamas and Israeli leaders, signifying the severe legal and political stakes involved. The ICC, established under the Rome Statute, continues to pursue accountability for severe international crimes, even when traditional state-sponsored mechanisms are ineffective or unavailable. Although Israel has not ratified the Rome Statute, the ICC claims jurisdiction through Palestine’s status as a state party, illustrating the complex legal territory navigated by international justice bodies.