A two-day public tribunal held in London has brought to light allegations of the UK‘s complicity in Israel’s war crimes in Gaza.
The tribunal, hosted by Jeremy Corbyn, the former Labour leader and lifelong supporter of Palestinian rights, heard harrowing testimonies from medical professionals, journalists, and survivors of the Gaza genocide.
British doctor Nick Maynard, who has volunteered in Gaza multiple times, described the devastating impact of Israel’s actions on civilians, particularly children.
“Boys I operated on, some as young as 11 or 12, had been clearly targeted with shootings to the abdomen and the chest,” he said. Maynard also recounted the tragic case of seven-month-old Zaynab, who died of malnutrition due to a shortage of formula feed in Nasser Hospital.
“You could see every rib, every bone in her body,” he recalled. “Four days before she died, US doctors had brought in formula feed, knowing there was a shortage.
They had those removed, deliberately, by Israeli guards. That formula feed may have saved Zaynab.”
The majority of panellists at the tribunal agreed that the UK is complicit in Israel’s alleged war crimes. Labour lawmaker Richard Burgon stated, “some governments, including the UK, are helping to arm Israel. That’s one form of complicity.”
He also highlighted “political complicity” through the UK government’s “political green lights” for Israel.
Francesca Albanese, the UN special rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territory, noted that states, including the UK, have “been on notice for decades of their obligations, and they have not acted accordingly,” referring to Israel’s systemic oppression and exploitation of Palestinians.
Despite mounting public sympathy for the Palestinians, the UK government has maintained its diplomatic ties with Israel and continues to supply F-35 components through the global pool programme.
Victoria Rose, a British surgeon who volunteered in Gaza, questioned the effectiveness of the UK government’s response, stating, “Not that we’ve been informed of, no,” when asked if their meetings with the premier had led to proactive action.
The tribunal’s findings emphasize the need for the UK government to reassess its relationship with Israel and take concrete steps to address alleged war crimes.
As Corbyn emphasized, “If the government won’t organise a public open inquiry, if Parliament won’t effectively inquire into what’s going on, it remains for us to do it.”
The UK’s continued supply of arms and military support to Israel raises questions about its complicity in breaches of international humanitarian law.
The UK government’s response to the Gaza conflict has been criticized by many, including Jeremy Corbyn, who hosted a tribunal to examine Britain’s role in alleged Israeli war crimes.
Corbyn emphasized the need for a public inquiry, stating, “If the government won’t organise a public open inquiry, if Parliament won’t effectively inquire into what’s going on, it remains for us to do it.”
There has been a fundamental shift in public opinion regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with increasing numbers of people expressing sympathy for the Palestinian cause. However, this shift has not yet translated into a change in government policy.
Ben Jamal, head of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, noted that while Israel is more isolated in the court of public opinion, none of this has been able to shift the dynamics of government behavior.
The tribunal’s findings suggest that the UK government is complicit in Israel’s alleged war crimes through its continued military support and diplomatic ties. Critics argue that the UK should employ all possible tools, including sanctions, to pressure Israel to end its military operations in Gaza.
The UK’s supply of F-35 components to Israel and its surveillance flights over Gaza raise concerns about intelligence sharing and complicity in breaches of international humanitarian law.
The International Centre of Justice for Palestinians (ICJP) has handed evidence to Scotland Yard alleging war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Gaza.
The complaint includes eyewitness accounts and photographic evidence of crimes, including attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure. ICJP’s director, Tayab Ali, emphasized the need for accountability and prosecution of those responsible for war crimes.
The tribunal’s findings have significant implications for UK-Israel relations. The UK government’s continued support for Israel, despite allegations of war crimes, raises questions about its commitment to international humanitarian law.
As Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories, noted, states, including the UK, have “been on notice for decades of their obligations, and they have not acted accordingly”.