UK MPs urge new prime minister to sanction Israel

A group of 80 British MPs and peers has called on the country’s new prime minister to impose sanctions on Israel, including a full arms embargo and a ban on trade in goods and services linked to Israeli settlements.

The letter, led by MP Kim Johnson, urged the government to “decisively change its stance in order to uphold the rights of the Palestinian people and to prevent Israel's continued violation of international law," Caliber.Az reportrs per Israeli media. 

The lawmakers cited a report by the UN Independent Commission of Inquiry, which they said “confirmed Israel's ongoing genocide in Gaza,” and called on the government to recognise the finding.

The letter also referred to the Genocide Convention, which requires its signatories, including the UK, to take action to prevent genocide once they become aware of a risk.

“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.”

“Now is the opportunity for this government and for you, as the new Prime Minister, to truly turn a new page.”

The MPs and peers called on the government to recognise the UN finding, fully implement the International Court of Justice ruling, impose comprehensive sanctions on Israel, including a full arms embargo, and ban all trade in goods and services with Israeli settlements.

The letter was signed by several prominent British politicians, including MPs Diane Abbott and Jeremy Corbyn, as well as Baroness Jenny Jones and Baroness Warsi.

By Sabina Mammadli