Over 60 MPs call for sanctions on Israel
More than 60 members of parliament from 7 different political parties in the UK have called for comprehensive sanctions to be imposed on Israel, citing repeated violations of international law.
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In a letter addressed to Foreign Secretary David Lammy, led by independent MPs Richard Burgon and Imran Hussain in the UK Parliament, the UK was urged to impose comprehensive sanctions on Israel.
The letter was signed by more than 60 MPs from 7 different political parties, including Labour Party MP Diane Abbott, independent MP John McDonnell, Green Party co-leader and MP Carla Denyer, and former Labour leader and independent MP Jeremy Corbyn.
In addition to MPs representing the Liberal Democrats, Plaid Cymru, and the Scottish National Party, numerous members of the House of Lords, the upper house of the UK Parliament, also supported the letter.
THEY CALLED ON THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT TO ACT IN ACCORDANCE WITH INTERNATIONAL LAW
The letter referred to the advisory opinion issued by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in July, which characterized Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories as unlawful and demanded that it be ended as soon as possible.
In this context, the letter stated, "The Court has determined that all states, including the UK, are under an obligation not to recognize as legal the situation arising from the unlawful presence of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and not to render aid or assistance in maintaining the situation created by such presence."
The letter, which noted that the MPs were inviting the British government to act in accordance with international law and take concrete steps, stated, "We call on the government to impose sanctions and take concrete steps to implement the ICJ's historic ruling regarding the illegal situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory."
The letter called on the UK to end trade or investment relationships that contribute to Israel's maintenance of the illegal situation in the occupied territories and to refrain from economic or commercial agreements related to these regions.
Furthermore, the letter pointed out that the UK's commitments in the context of international law must be consistent with its actions, assessing that "supporting the ICJ's advisory opinion would be a critical step in demonstrating this commitment."