UK civil society networks call on the UK government to show leadership and take further action against Israel
Today, Thursday 18 September, UK civil society networks have signed a statement calling on the UK government to take further action against Israel and recognise a Palestinian state as a pathway to peace ahead of next week’s high-level week of the UN General Assembly.
The networks state that “despite mounting evidence of genocide, as found by the UN Commission of Inquiry, the UK continues to fall short of its obligations under international law.”
The networks call for the UK to “demand immediate and unimpeded humanitarian access to end the famine now threatening the Gazan population, stand fully behind the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court, and do all within its power to ensure that Israel complies with the Court, take steps to prevent genocide and hold Israel to account for violations of international law.”
They also call for the UK to “end all arms sales and transfers to Israel, suspend all preferential trade arrangements and end economic cooperation that supports violations of international law.” The statement also calls for the UK to “sanction officials and entities responsible for atrocities and adopt comprehensive measures to prevent UK businesses from contributing to violations of international law in Gaza and the West Bank.”
The networks cite actions made by countries like Spain, Ireland and Sweden as examples of what is possible, since they go further than current UK measures including implementing a legally codified arms embargo and banning entry for individuals involved in alleged war crimes.
Signatories include leaders of Bond, the UK network for NGOs, Climate Action Network UK, Scotland’s International Development Alliance, the Welsh Centre for International Affairs, Trade Justice Movement and more.
Notes to editors
- Read the statement.
- This statement was organised by Bond, the UK network for NGOs.
- Many of Bond’s member organisations are actively working in the region providing humanitarian assistance to civilians.
- Bond is the UK network for organisations working in international development. Bond unites and supports a diverse network of over 350 civil society organisations from across the UK, and allies to help eradicate global poverty, inequality and injustice.
- For further information, please contact Jess Salter, Media Adviser at Bond at [email protected] or call 07392972411.
