Over 800 lawyers, judges and university professors in the UK have demanded sanctions against the Israeli government over fears of war crimes and genocide in Gaza, Palestine.
They made this demand in an open letter sent to the country’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday.
The letter states that genocide is taking place in Gaza or there is a serious risk of it happening.
At the same time, war crimes, crimes against humanity and violations of international human rights are also mentioned there.
The letter is signed by former judges of the UK Supreme Court and Court of Appeal, as well as prominent figures in international law. It quotes recent statements by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who has declared that he will “take over the entire territory” of Gaza, “liberate it from the enemy” and “stay permanently”. The signatories interpreted this statement as a direct threat to the survival of the Palestinians in Gaza.
The letter says that “urgent and decisive action” is necessary to prevent the destruction of the Palestinian people in Gaza. To this end, it calls for an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire. At the same time, it demands the resumption of “urgent, unconditional and unhindered humanitarian aid flows” to the people of Gaza.
Earlier, last week, the UK also suspended negotiations on a new trade agreement with Israel.
Sources: Al Jazeera, The Guardian