As a 2,000-plus-strong progressive-minded UK Jewish organisation, we are horrified by what the Israeli government is currently doing to Gaza’s civilian population. We were therefore relieved that the foreign secretary, David Lammy, spoke out so clearly and condemned Israel’s renewed blockade of Gaza as a “breach of international law”.
However, we are horrified by the subsequent statement from 10 Downing Street disowning the foreign secretary’s condemnation (Editorial, 18 March). The prime minister’s spokesperson was quoted as saying that the government cannot accuse Israel of breaking international law because “the government is not an international court and, therefore, it is up to courts to make judgments”.
But No 10’s position is sadly not a consistent one. In July last year, the international court of justice ruled that there had been multiple violations of international law by Israel, related to occupation and racial segregation. And yet those rulings have made virtually no difference to the UK government’s actions regarding Israel’s activities in Gaza or in the West Bank. The UK government’s continued relative silence and inaction is a tragedy.
Lammy was right to say what he said in the Commons – and we greatly regret the prime minister’s failure to support him.
Richard Kuper
Jews for Justice for Palestinians
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