Until the UK Government calls for an immediate and permanent ceasefire and suspends its arms sales to Israel it is complicit in the slaughter of civilians taking place every day in Gaza, Christian Aid and three other charities have said.
In a paid-for full page letter in The Times newspaper, the charities are urging the UK Government “to call for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire and halt arms to Israel and Palestinian armed groups while there is a risk they are used to commit or facilitate serious violations of international humanitarian or human rights law.”
Christian Aid has been joined by Oxfam, War On Want and Global Justice Now who all warn the Israeli Government is pursuing collective punishment against the people of Gaza and has rejected the right to statehood for the Palestinian people. They also express “grave concerns” that the continued supply of arms to Israel is breaking international law.
The letter continues: “While rightly condemning the unlawful attacks by Hamas, you have failed to condemn Israel for the mass killing of civilians, its complete siege on Gaza in the opening weeks of the conflict, or its continuing restrictions on humanitarian access which is leading to the starvation of the population and a rapidly worsening health emergency.”
Christian Aid’s Head of Middle East Policy & Advocacy, William Bell, added: “Our partners in Gaza warn the situation is catastrophic. There is a shortage of both food and water, and access to healthcare is all but gone.
“The Foreign Secretary is right to be worried that international humanitarian law is being violated. He must listen to his conscious and demand an urgent ceasefire, that is what the British public expect too. It is the only way to end the suffering, secure the release of hostages and deliver a lasting just peace.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
Please find the letter attached.
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Top Lines:
- Until the UK Government calls for an immediate and permanent ceasefire and suspends its arms sales to Israel it is complicit in the slaughter of civilians taking place every day in Gaza.
- The Foreign Secretary has himself stated in Parliament that he is worried that international humanitarian law is being violated. He must listen to his conscious and call for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire and halt arms to Israel and Palestinian armed groups.
- An immediate and unconditional ceasefire is the only way to end the suffering, secure the release of hostages and deliver a lasting just peace. The UK public agree with more than 7 in 10 in favour according to recent polling.
Context in Gaza:
- In Gaza, as of 30 January, at least 26,751 Palestinians were killed in Gaza. That is more than 1 in 100 people. 7 in 10 are believed to be women and children. 65,636 Palestinians have also been injured.
- Airstrikes have caused widespread destruction of homes, schools, healthcare facilities and telecommunication installations. With fuel for generators all but depleted, hospitals are ceasing to function and virtually all water and sanitation services have collapsed. All schools are closed, food supply is cut off and risking famine, and it is feared 1.9 million people have been displaced.
- Our established partners in Gaza are responding as best they can, under intense pressure, with medical relief and community-led initiatives such as food, shelter, sanitation and cash. This includes building mobile bathrooms in four shelters to working with local farmers to get fresh vegetables for families that have left their homes to escape airstrikes.
Arms:
- Under the UK’s arms export regime, licenses cannot be granted where there is a clear risk that the items might be used to commit or facilitate a serious violation of international humanitarian law.
- Since 2015, the UK has licensed at least £474 million worth of military exports to Israel, including components for combat aircrafts, missiles, tanks, technology, small arms and ammunition. The UK provides approximately 15% of the components in the F-35 stealth bomber aircraft currently being used in Gaza.
Polling:
- A YouGov poll commissioned by Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) and the Council for Arab-British Understanding (Caabu) highlights an overwhelming level of British public support for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
- The survey conducted on 20-21 December 2023 found that 71% of the British public believe there definitely (48%) or probably (23%) should be an immediate ceasefire in Israel and Palestine. Conversely, only 12% of people felt that there should definitely not (6%) or probably not (6%) be an immediate ceasefire.
Recent developments to be aware:
On 26 January 2024, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled that Israel must take every action to stop genocidal acts in Gaza. It did not go as far to call for an immediate ceasefire.
- This ruling is clear; Israel must take all measures to prevent genocidal acts in Gaza. There can be no excuse for such abhorrent acts against humanity.
- Ultimately the suffering won’t end until we have a permanent ceasefire. That was needed yesterday to stop the slaughter of civilians in Gaza.
- World leaders, including the UK Government, must hold Israel to account on this ruling and assert all pressure to free the hostages and bring an end to the terrible loss of life in Gaza.
On 27 January 2024, several Western governments (the UK included) suspended their funding over allegations that some UNRWA staff were involved in the 7 October attacks on Israel.
- Allegations against some individuals working for UNWRA are very serious. There is an urgent need for full transparency, and we welcome the investigation by UNRWA.
- However, we must reflect on the wider consequences of cutting funding to UNRWA in this time of extreme humanitarian distress.
- We cannot justify the collective punishment of Palestinian people through the withdrawal of aid. The UK Government has got this call badly wrong.
Since the start of the escalation of violence on 7 October, the UK Government has not voted for a ceasefire at any meeting of the UN Security Council.
