LABOUR ministers should be investigated for denying or even justifying Israeli war crimes in Palestine, a UN special rapporteur has said.
In an interview with Declassified UK, Francesca Albanese, the UN’s human rights investigator for the Occupied Palestinian Territories, specifically questioned on what grounds Foreign Secretary David Lammy could deny analysis which has concluded Israel is committing genocide.
Lammy has previously told the House of Commons that using the word genocide to describe Israel’s actions in Gaza “undermines the term” – directly contradicting experts including Amnesty International, leading Israeli Holocaust historians, and Albanese herself.
Starmer has also refused to call Israel's actions in Gaza a genocide, instead denying that the term is appropriate.
“I do understand why he might have done it, to deflect responsibility both of Israel and possibly the UK Government.
“But he, as a foreign minister, he's obliged to sit down and respond. Why does he think that my arguments, my legal assessment, the assessment of Amnesty International and now dozens of organisations and Israeli historians, what are the arguments that he uses to dismiss what we have brought to the floor as evidence?”
She added: “I'm not interested in David Lammy's opinion per se. He's a foreign minister, therefore, he needs to respond in an articulated way on very specific questions. How does he dismiss the claims that Israel has committed acts of genocide?”
Last September, the Labour Government cancelled some 30 out of 350 weapons export licences to Israel amid concerns that they would be used to violate international law in Palestine.
Despite confirmation that F-35 jets have been used in Gaza to bomb a refugee camp, Labour have refused to block exports of parts for the fighters.
Declassified UK asked Albanese if arms exports made the UK “a participant in the destruction of Gaza, in the genocide”.
The UN expert responded: “Surely. Surely, the UK has done nothing to protect, to prevent the destruction of Gaza. Militarily, it has continued to supply Israel in violations of its obligations.
“The UK has incredible lawyers and I cannot believe that the Government was not advised on what [Israel] was doing.
“It was clear that Israel was violating – let aside the genocide assessment – it was clear that Israel was committing war crimes and crimes against humanity.
“I've heard UK politicians denying that, and to an extent, even justifying this, therefore they should be investigated. Their responsibility should be investigated by UK authorities.”
She went on: “The extent to which this might lead to responsibility, I cannot establish right now because, again, there should be an investigation looking at their level of knowledge, what they have authorised, because there is individual liability.
“There's criminal liability for complicity with international crimes. It's not a joke.
“I mean, it seems to me that in general Western politicians have taken the violation of international law lightheartedly.
Albanese added: “They can continue to lie, but they cannot hide from justice. This is why I know it seems a long shot, but it has to be pursued.
“There is accountability in court, but there is also accountability before the people.”
The now-Prime Minister Keir Starmer was previously widely criticised after saying Israel “has the right” to cut water and electricity supplies to Gaza, in comments which were read as supporting violations of international law.
He later walked that back, claiming to have meant Israel had the right to defend itself.
The UK Government has been approached for comment.
