‘Does the UK government oppose genocide?’ ask independent MPs

The Independent Alliance of MPs has issued an urgent letter to Foreign Secretary David Lammy, asking whether the UK government opposes genocide. The letter, shared on social media by Jeremy Corbyn MP, comes as Israel threatens 400,000 Palestinians in northern Gaza with starvation.

The alliance, comprising Jeremy Corbyn, Shockat Adam, Adnan Hussain, Ayoub Khan and Iqbal Mohamed, has condemned the government for what they describe as “100 days of complicity in crimes against humanity” regarding Israel’s actions in Gaza.

The letter was prompted by horrific scenes Gaza, including reports of Palestinian refugees being burned alive in their tents following an Israeli air strike on a hospital courtyard. The MPs also cited an attack on a school that killed 22 people awaiting polio vaccinations.

Does the UK government oppose genocide?

An urgent letter to the Foreign Secretary from the Independent Alliance. pic.twitter.com/tKB6NRoCza

— Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) October 14, 2024

“The horror in Gaza is often described as a humanitarian crisis,” said the MPs. “This is not a humanitarian crisis. It is a genocide, aided and abetted by governments including our own.”

The letter points out that that the Labour government which took office in July has displayed “shameful indifference to Palestinian life… moral and political cowardice… [and] complicity in crimes against humanity.”

Key questions posed to the foreign secretary include asking when the UK will end all arms sales to Israel and join other European nations like France, Italy, and Spain in calling for a worldwide ban. The alliance also sought clarification about whether the government agrees with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling that Israel’s continued presence in the occupied Palestinian territories is illegal.

This challenge from the Independent Alliance comes as over 40 MPs from seven parties have signed an Early Day Motion (EDM) calling for sanctions on Israel for alleged violations of international law in Palestine. Leeds East MP Richard Burgon, who tabled the motion, emphasised the need for “real action from political leaders — not just words.”

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