Dear Keir Starmer,

I urge you to back Zarah Sultana MP’s Bill to Stop Arming War Crimes and to ban all arms sales to Israel.

This is your opportunity to set a course distinct from the Tories and end the UK’s complicity in what South Africa has brought before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) as a plausible genocide in Gaza. [1]

The ICJ has already declared Israel’s occupation of Palestine unlawful and characterised Israeli policies as apartheid. [2] Furthermore, the International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant for crimes against humanity and war crimes, including the targeting of civilians and the use of starvation as a method of war. [3] Amnesty International has also described Israel’s actions in Gaza as genocide in its landmark report. [4]

Suspending 30 of the 350 arms licences with Israel was a step forward, but it was also an admission that UK arms exports carry a clear risk of complicity in violations of international humanitarian law. Yet keeping the remaining 320 licences in place — some of which include components for the F-35 fighter jet, the world’s “most lethal” aircraft — is legally inconsistent and morally indefensible, as these have directly facilitated atrocities.

After 15 months of Israel’s brutal, genocidal assault on the Palestinian people, a ceasefire has been declared. But this does not absolve the UK of its role in enabling these violations. It is crucial for the government to take responsibility and urgently address its involvement. A full arms embargo is essential — not only to save lives now but to prevent future violations.

In December 2023, Zarah Sultana MP first introduced the Arms Trade (Inquiry and Suspension) Bill to Parliament. She has now reintroduced the Bill, underscoring its urgency under a Labour government. This Bill would suspend arms sales to any country where there is a credible risk they could be used in violation of international law. This undoubtedly includes Israel, as well as Saudi Arabia for its role in Yemen and the United Arab Emirates, whose UK-supplied arms have been used in the conflict in Sudan.

I urge you to act decisively. Support this Bill and end the UK’s complicity in war crimes. The time to act is now.

Yours sincerely,

[1] https://www.icj-cij.org/sites/default/files/case-related/192/192-20231229-pre-01-00-en.pdf
[2] https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2024/07/experts-hail-icj-declaration-illegality-israels-presence-occupied
[3] https://www.icc-cpi.int/news/situation-state-palestine-icc-pre-trial-chamber-i-rejects-state-israels-challenges
[4] https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2024/12/amnesty-international-concludes-israel-is-committing-genocide-against-palestinians-in-gaza/