More than 800 lawyers, academics, and retired judges have called on the UK government to impose sanctions on Israeli officials and take decisive steps to address what they describe as “serious violations of international law” in Gaza, according to an open letter sent to Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday.
The letter, endorsed by prominent legal figures including former Supreme Court justices Lord Sumption and Lord Wilson, as well as former Court of Appeal judge Sir Alan Moses, warns that “genocide is being perpetrated in Gaza or, at a minimum, there is a serious risk of genocide occurring.”
It cites war crimes, crimes against humanity, and breaches of international humanitarian law, pointing to Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich’s statement that Israel intends to “take control of all the territory of the [Gaza] Strip” and “conquer, cleanse and stay – until Hamas is destroyed.”
The signatories urge Starmer to act swiftly to “avert the destruction of the Palestinian people of Gaza.”
They demand an immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire, the resumption of unimpeded humanitarian aid, and the lifting of Israel’s ban on the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA).
The letter also calls for sanctions on Israeli ministers and military officials “reasonably suspected of involvement in unlawful conduct” and a review of UK-Israel trade ties, including the suspension of a roadmap for closer partnership.
“We, in the UK, cannot expect peace unless we fulfil our obligations under international law,” said Sir Alan Moses.
“It is an exercise in futility for a government to say it upholds the rule of law, if it then does nothing to demonstrate it.”
The letter highlights Israel’s actions, including attacks on UN premises and personnel, as a broader challenge to the UN charter system.
It suggests the UK, as a permanent UN Security Council member, consider initiating proceedings to suspend Israel’s UN membership.
“Imagine a world without rules: anarchy loosed upon the world,” said Conor Gearty, a professor of human rights law at the London School of Economics.
The signatories also urge the UK to execute International Criminal Court arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Israel faces a separate genocide case at the International Court of Justice.
According to Gaza’s Ministry of Health, Israel’s offensive has killed at least 54,056 Palestinians and wounded 123,129, with the Government Media Office reporting over 61,700 deaths, including thousands missing under rubble.
The letter notes that while an 11-week blockade on Gaza has been lifted, the limited aid permitted remains “gravely insufficient” to address the humanitarian catastrophe.
The UK’s recent suspension of negotiations for a new trade deal with Israel was welcomed, but the letter insists Starmer must go further to meet international legal obligations and prevent further devastation in Gaza.