A coalition of 80 British lawmakers and peers has called on newly appointed British Prime Minister Andy Burnham to impose sanctions on Israel, including a comprehensive arms embargo and a ban on trade that supports illegal settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories.
In a letter, spearheaded by MP Kim Johnson, they urged the government to “decisively change its stance to uphold the rights of the Palestinian people and to prevent Israel’s continued violation of international law.”
It also called on the government to acknowledge the UN Independent Commission of Inquiry report, which validated Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza.
Alongside recognition of the UN finding, the lawmakers urged the government to fully enforce the International Court of Justice advisory opinion, delivered on July 19, 2024.
It holds that Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian territories is unlawful, that Israel should put an end to that occupation, desist from creating new settlements, and evacuate those already established.
“The previous administration has willfully ignored the rulings of international courts. It has still failed to issue a formal response to the July 2024 International Court of Justice judgment […] which requires Britain to cease all actions that aid or assist [Israel’s] grave violations of international law,” the letter read.
It added, “Now is the opportunity for this government and for you, as the new Prime Minister, to truly turn a new page.”
The letter bore the signatures of prominent legislators, including Diane Abbott, Jeremy Corbyn, Baroness Jenny Jones, and Baroness Warsi.
In an op-ed for Labour Outlook, Johnson stated that Palestine has emerged as the “defining test” of the Labour Party’s commitment to the notion that international law applies to all.
“If we condemn violations in one part of the world while excusing or ignoring them elsewhere, we undermine the very rules-based international order that Britain claims to defend,” she said.
“Burnham tells us he has a plan to renew confidence in Labour. If that renewal is to mean anything, it must begin by making a clean break with the failures of Starmerism on Palestine. If we are truly serious about turning the page, there could be no clearer place to begin,” Johnson noted.
The letter is supported by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, which has been advocating for Burnham to distance himself from former Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s disgraceful legacy by implementing extensive sanctions against Israel, comprising a complete arms embargo, a cessation of all military collaboration and diplomatic support, and a total ban on all trade.
