Three Former UK Supreme Court Justices Call for End to Arms Sales to Israel Over Genocide Concerns

Three former UK Supreme Court justices and over 600 legal experts have urged Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to halt arms sales to Israel due to the risk of international law being violated over potential genocide in Gaza.

The call comes after seven aid workers were killed in an air strike, adding to cross-party pressure on the UK government.

Despite the UK having a "very careful" arms licensing regime and lower sales than some countries, a ban could increase diplomatic and political pressure on Israel amid renewed international scrutiny of its conduct in the Gaza conflict.

A group of over 600 lawyers, academics, and retired senior judges, including former Supreme Court President Lady Hale and justices Lord Sumption and Lord Wilson, have signed a letter urging the UK government to take "serious action" to avoid complicity in potential violations of the Genocide Convention in Gaza.

They express concern over the sale of arms and weapons systems to Israel, stating that it falls short of the UK's obligations under international law due to the plausible risk of genocide and the worsening humanitarian situation.

The letter references a provisional judgement issued by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in January, which highlighted these issues.

Lord Sumption emphasized the importance of the ICJ's provisional ruling on UK policy, despite the final ruling not yet being issued.

A former Supreme Court judge is urging the UK government to take action to prevent potential genocide in Palestine, despite international law allowing self-defense.

He emphasized that countries cannot indiscriminately harm innocent civilians, attack aid convoys, or destroy hospitals.

The government should restore funding to UNRWA, impose sanctions on individuals inciting genocide, suspend diplomatic and trade negotiations, and consider suspending the existing trade deal with Israel.

These actions follow the killing of seven aid workers, including three British citizens, in an Israeli air strike in Gaza.

The brother of a British national killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza spoke out in an interview, expressing disbelief over the UK's inaction regarding the deaths of UK citizens.

He called for accountability and accused the government of continuing to sell weapons to Israel, which may be used to harm more citizens.

The attack resulted in the deaths of several other nationals, including Australians, Palestinians, Americans-Canadians, and Poles.

The group had recently unloaded over 100 tonnes of food aid.

UK Foreign Secretary Rishi Sunak called for an independent investigation but did not suggest ending arms sales to Israel.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also promised an investigation and described the attack as unintended and tragic.

The text disputes the claim of genocide against Israel as unfounded.

Since 2008, the UK has exported over £574m worth of arms to Israel, with £42m in 2022 accounting for 0.02% of Israel's military imports that year.

The business department grants arms export licenses, which cannot be issued if there is a risk of serious violation of international humanitarian law.

The Labour Party has urged the government to publish legal advice on Israel's potential breach of international law but has not called for a suspension.

Previous PMs Margaret Thatcher and Tony Blair have suspended arms sales to Israel in 1982 and 2002, respectively.

The Scottish National Party (SNP) is pushing for Parliament to return from its Easter break to discuss the issue of British-made arms being used in Gaza, where civilians have been killed.

Conservative MP Paul Bristow expressed concern over the potential use of British arms in civilian deaths and the loss of British aid workers, stating it was a "line in the sand." However, fellow Tory MP Suella Braverman argued for continued support of Israel as the UK's closest ally in the region.

Theresa Villiers, another Conservative MP and former cabinet minister, maintained that Israel has the right to defend itself and that continuing to provide arms exports is legitimate.

The text summarizes the destruction and loss of life in the Gaza Strip following Israeli military operations that began in response to Hamas gunmen attacks on southern Israel in October 2021.

Over 1,200 people were killed, including about 34 of the 253 hostages who are still being held by Hamas.

The Hamas-run health ministry reports that a total of 32,916 people have been killed in Gaza since the start of the operations.