Legal Experts Denounce UK Inaction amid Israeli Genocide in Gaza
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Hundreds of legal experts have accused the United Kingdom of failing to uphold international law by turning a blind eye to the Israeli war crimes and genocide in Gaza, urging immediate sanctions.
More than 800 UK legal experts, including former Supreme Court justices, have called on Prime Minister Keir Starmer to impose sanctions on Israeli ministers and review trade ties, which they warn amounts to genocide.
In a letter to Starmer on Monday, 828 lawyers—including former Supreme Court justices—called for the UK to use “all available means” to stop the war in Gaza.
They demanded measures including financial and travel sanctions on Israeli ministers, a review of bilateral agreements, and an immediate ceasefire.
The signatories warned that “genocide is being perpetrated in Gaza” through Israel’s complete blockade of aid and its latest military assault, which has killed hundreds of Palestinians in the past two weeks alone.
Despite mounting international outrage, Israel has rejected accusations of genocide, though the claims are currently being examined by the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
Among the prominent signatories are Lord Wilson and Lord Sumption, both former justices of the UK Supreme Court, along with leading academics from Oxford and Cambridge universities and former heads of major legal associations.
Their letter comes amid intensifying criticism of Israel’s conduct by several Western governments.
Since launching a renewed offensive in mid-May, Israel has faced diplomatic pushback from even its allies such as the UK, France, and Canada, who condemned what they described as the “egregious” escalation of violence and deepening blockade.
The 11-week total siege, which began on March 2, has left Gaza’s population without access to essential food, water, and medical aid.
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy said the Israeli escalation was “morally unjustifiable,” and announced the suspension of trade talks, the summoning of Israel’s ambassador, and new sanctions targeting violent settlers in the occupied West Bank.
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed the criticism, accusing Western leaders of “siding with Hamas” and defending the brutal offensive as necessary to rescue the 58 hostages still held in Gaza.
However, the scale of destruction and civilian casualties has prompted widespread alarm.
According to Gaza’s health authorities, around 100 Palestinians were killed per day in the first week of Israel’s latest murder campaign.
In their 36-page letter, the group of legal experts called Israel’s May offensive “a grave violation of international law” and a breach of the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination.
They condemned the UK’s failure to act, stating that “the UK’s actions to date have failed to meet those standards,” while cautiously welcoming recent steps taken by the government.
“The trickle of aid now being permitted into Gaza is gravely insufficient,” they said, adding that the international community has a legal obligation to “prevent and punish genocide.”
The letter urged the UK to immediately impose sanctions on Israeli officials implicated in “unlawful conduct,” and to freeze the UK-Israel 2030 Roadmap agreement, which includes cooperation on defense, technology, and culture.
They also called on the UK to commit to acting on any arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court, which has recently named Netanyahu as a suspect for war crimes.
This is the latest in a series of appeals from UK legal professionals since the war began in October 2023.
An earlier letter raised concerns over British arms sales to Israel, which are now the subject of a judicial review by the High Court of England and Wales.
Israel’s war on Gaza has killed at least 54,056 Palestinians and wounded 123,129, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. The Government Media Office updated its death toll to more than 61,700, saying thousands of people missing under the rubble are presumed dead.
Nearly 4,000 have also been brutally killed since March 18, when Israel resumed its offensive after a temporary ceasefire, according to Gaza’s health ministry.
On Tuesday, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo added their voices to calls for Israel to allow immediate humanitarian access to Gaza.
“We must put pressure on Israel to ensure the aid truly reaches its target,” Merz told reporters in Finland.
He added that the situation in Gaza was “in no way acceptable,” describing the suffering as “excessive.”
“This is a terrible human catastrophe and we must be able to tackle it,” Orpo said.
Sweden also summoned the Israeli ambassador, demanding the country “immediately ensure safe and unhindered humanitarian access to Gaza.”
In a statement, the Swedish foreign ministry said “the current way the war is waged is unacceptable.”
