LONDON: A coalition of 17 UK charities and advocacy groups has called on Andy Burnham, Britain’s incoming prime minister, to take what it described as urgent action over the war in Gaza and the situation in the occupied West Bank, saying the government must do more to uphold international law and protect Palestinian civilians.
The joint statement, issued on Tuesday, was signed by organizations including Amnesty International UK, Save the Children UK, ActionAid UK, Medical Aid for Palestinians, Christian Aid, CAFOD, Islamic Relief UK, Muslim Aid and the Council for Arab-British Understanding.
The groups said Palestinians continue to face widespread violence, displacement and severe humanitarian conditions in Gaza, while military operations and settler violence in the occupied West Bank have intensified.
The coalition also cited findings by a recent UN Commission of Inquiry, which concluded that Israeli forces and authorities had committed genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes in Gaza, while also documenting alleged war crimes in the West Bank. Israel rejects accusations that it is committing genocide.
Halla Keir, advocacy and research manager at Medical Aid for Palestinians, said the UK’s obligations under international law were clear and urged the new government to take decisive action.
Joanne O’Neill, co-director of advocacy and influencing at ActionAid, said the incoming prime minister should “move beyond rhetoric” and take steps to uphold international law and protect Palestinian lives.
Liz Bradshaw, senior conflict and humanitarian advocacy adviser at Save the Children UK, said Palestinian children had endured the consequences of prolonged violence, displacement and the destruction of essential services, and urged the new government to pursue a different approach.
The coalition called on the government to suspend all arms transfers to Israel, including F-35 fighter jet components, and halt trade, services and investments linked to Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories.
It also urged the suspension of the UK-Israel Trade and Partnership Agreement under its human rights provisions and the publishing of its response to the International Court of Justice’s advisory opinion on Israel’s occupation, together with a timetable for implementing its recommendations.
