Crispin Blunt MP supports cross-party letter to the Attorney General requesting the Government urgently release the legal advice that they have received from its own lawyers stating that Israel has breached international humanitarian law in Gaza
Following this weekend’s story in the Observer reporting that the UK Government has received advice from its own lawyers stating that Israel has breached international humanitarian law in Gaza, a cross-party letter is being sent to the Attorney General that requests the Government urgently releases the legal advice that they have received.
This follows a leaked recording received by the Observer, whereby the Chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee reportedly stated that the UK Government has in fact received legal advice stating that Israel has breached international humanitarian law during its conduct of hostilities in Gaza.
Crispin Blunt said:
“On 13th October, nearly 6 months ago, Tayab Ali and I, the founding Directors of ICJP (International Centre of Justice for Palestinians), wrote a letter to the Prime Minister, the Attorney General, and the then Foreign Secretary, approved by our own legal counsel, writing a notice of intention to prosecute UK government officials for aiding and abetting war crimes in Gaza.
It was clear even then, just 6 days into Israel’s response to the criminal atrocities of 7th October, that Israel had already breached international humanitarian law and the laws of war and was engaged in war crimes on an atrocious scale. This includes the collective punishment of the Palestinian people through the targeting of civilians, the cutting off water and electricity supplies and the blocking of food and aid into Gaza.
As a state, Israel’s leaders are accountable, and as these are crimes of universal jurisdiction, so are our leaders, defined under the law much more widely than just Government ministers, who by their unequivocal support for Israel were making themselves complicit in those war crimes.
Israel’s bombardment and military offensive in Gaza has killed more than 32,000 Palestinians and wounded nearly 75,000. Given the overwhelming public and parliamentary interest, it is crucial that the Government releases their own legal advice. There will be a reckoning and shame will engulf the nations that could, and did not, force Israel away from this criminal and inhuman policy.”
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Notes to editors:
Office of Crispin Blunt MP:
0207 219 2254