The UK government has confirmed it has not concluded that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, despite mounting pressure from lawmakers and human rights groups. Ministers also stated that there is no evidence linking British-made parts used in Israel’s F-35 jets to direct breaches of international humanitarian law.
In a letter to Sarah Champion, chair of the International Development Select Committee, former Foreign Secretary David Lammy said the government had rejected calls for an independent audit of UK arms sales to Israel. Ministers also dismissed proposals to amend the crime and policing bill to make it easier to prosecute foreign nationals in UK courts for war crimes, including the killing of aid workers.
The rejection comes as Israel’s president Isaac Herzog prepares to visit London to deliver a speech and meet UK leaders. The timing has sparked criticism from parliamentarians who argue the visit undermines Britain’s responsibilities under the 1948 genocide convention.
Parliamentarians raise concerns over civilian deaths in Gaza
On Tuesday, 61 MPs and peers wrote to Prime Minister Keir Starmer urging the government to reconsider its stance. They cited figures suggesting more than 64,000 Palestinians, the majority women and children, have been killed in Gaza. Lawmakers including Diane Abbott, Andy McDonald and Baroness Christine Blower warned that welcoming Herzog risks suggesting the UK is indifferent to international law.
Lammy’s letter condemned the “utterly appalling” civilian casualties but stressed that genocide under international law requires a specific intent to destroy a group. The government’s position is that it has not determined Israel is acting with that intent.
UN court ruling and human rights groups’ pressure
The UK is still studying a June 2024 ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) which found Israel’s occupation of Palestine unlawful. Although non-binding, the ICJ urged governments to act.
Meanwhile, Israeli and international human rights groups, including B’Tselem and Physicians for Human Rights, have described Israel’s campaign in Gaza as genocidal. Hundreds of UN human rights agency staff have also called for genocide to be formally recognised. Israel denies the accusations, insisting its actions are self-defence.
Ministers stress complexity of war crimes assessment
The UK government argues it cannot provide a “running commentary” on whether breaches of humanitarian law have occurred, citing the complexity of verifying details of specific military operations. Officials said harm to civilians, while tragic, does not automatically constitute a war crime, particularly when combatants are embedded among civilian populations.
By concluding that there is no evidence of genocidal intent, ministers imply the UK is not obligated under the genocide convention to take preventive action, a stance likely to spark further political and legal controversy.
