A new letter signed by many legal professionals has increased pressure on the government to alter its stance on Israel.
The letter demands a halt to fighting in Gaza and an end to the UK’s provision of arms to Israel.
This is important because it’s endorsed by retired senior judges, who typically avoid politically sensitive matters.
The letter has been released as some of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s own MPs have urged the government to cease UK arms sales to Israel.
So, what is this letter, and why is it significant?
What are the contents of the letter?
The 17-page letter was sent to the Prime Minister on Wednesday evening.
The signatories express deep concern about the unfolding catastrophe in the Gaza strip.
They caution the government about its responsibilities under international law.
The letter states that the UK is obligated under the Genocide Convention to take all possible actions to prevent genocide.
They also state that failure to meet those obligations ‘would make the UK responsible for an international wrong, for which full reparation must be made’.
What have the signatories requested?
The letter’s signatories call on the government to take five steps.
Firstly, they ask the government to ‘actively work’ to secure a lasting ceasefire in Gaza.
The government has so far called for a ‘sustainable ceasefire’ and temporary ‘humanitarian pauses’.
According to a YouGov survey, 66% of Brits believe that Israel should stop and declare a ceasefire, up from 59% in November.
In their second demand, the signatories ask the government to take all measures to deliver aid to Palestinians in Gaza, including restoring funding to UNRWA.
UNRWA is the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees.
The agency provides aid to Palestinians who have fled the conflict.
UNRWA withdrew its staff from Gaza after Israel alleged that 12 of its staff members were involved in the October 7 attacks.
The UK halted funding for UNRWA following the allegations. In the 2023/24 financial year, the UK contributed £35 million towards the agency.
The letter’s third demand urges the government to impose sanctions on individuals and organizations who have made statements encouraging genocide against Palestinians.
In their fourth request, the signatories call on the government to suspend the provision of weapons to Israel.
They argue that the UK’s sale of weapons to Israel ‘fall significantly short of your government’s obligations under international law.’
Finally, the letter calls for the government to suspend a trade agreement between the UK and Israel.
Who has signed the document?
More than 600 lawyers, scholars, and former high-ranking judges have put their signatures on the letter.
Notable individuals who have signed include Baroness Hale of Richmond, the former Supreme Court President, and Lord Sumption and Lord Wilson, both former Supreme Court Justices.
Why is this an important development?
This letter represents a significant shift from previous appeals from legal experts.
A letter sent on 26 October 2023 was signed by over 1,000 lawyers and legal academics and cautioned the government to steer clear of involvement in violations of humanitarian law in Gaza.
However, Wednesday’s letter not only goes beyond the demands of the October letter, but it is also endorsed by retired senior judges.
Typically, senior retired judges do not publicly discuss politically sensitive matters.
The letter comes at a time when Sunak is under growing pressure from his own MPs to halt the supply of arms to Israel.
Conservative MPs David Jones, Paul Bristow, and Flick Drummond have called for the suspension of arms exports to Israel.
Drummond stated that she believes Israel’s actions in Gaza have violated international law.
What kind of weapons does the UK sell to Israel?
Since 2008, the UK has approved arms sales worth more than £574 million to Israel.
Defence Secretary Grant Shapps mentioned that UK military equipment exports to Israel reached £42 million in 2022, which he described as 'relatively small'.
Foreign Office Minister Andrew Mitchell indicated that the UK's exports make up 0.02% of Israel’s military imports.
Sunak stated that the UK has a “very careful” arms licensing system.
The US is Israel’s main arms provider. Israel has received more US military assistance than any other country since World War Two.
In December 2023, the US authorized the sale of weaponry, including tank ammunition cartridges and artillery shells, valued at $254 million, which is approximately £200.5 million.
The UK stopped selling arms to Israel in 1982 when Israel invaded Lebanon and restricted the sale of military equipment to Israel in 2002.
Is there a genocide in Gaza?
Genocide is defined as the act of killing a large number of people with the intent to destroy a specific national, ethnic, racial, or religious group.
In January 2024, South Africa accused Israel of violating its obligations under the Genocide Convention and took the case to the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
The ICJ determined that there is a credible risk of genocide occurring and issued a preliminary injunction to Israel to take all necessary measures to prevent genocide against Palestinians. However, the case could take years to reach a final resolution.
Under the terms of the Genocide Convention, the UK must take all actions within its powers to prevent genocide.
In March, UN human rights expert Francesca Albanese stated that she believes Israel had committed 'acts of genocide' in Gaza.
What’s the latest on the conflict between Israel and Palestine?
At least 32,623 Palestinians have been killed since the conflict began. 70% of those deaths have been women and children.
The UNRWA Commissioner-General Phillipe Lazzarini stated that the number of children who have been reported as killed in the first four months of the conflict in Gaza is higher than the number of children killed in four years of war around the world combined.
The International Committee of the Red Cross stated that there is 'no safe place for people to go'.
The World Bank Group stated that more than half the population of Gaza is 'on the edge of famine'.
Seven international aid workers, including three British citizens, were killed by an Israeli airstrike in Gaza on Monday.
130 of the 253 people taken hostage by Hamas on October 7 remain unaccounted for.
