A coalition comprising of UK lawyers, legal academics and former members of the judiciary issued an open letter on Wednesday to the UK government calling for action regarding the escalating humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip. The letter comes amidst growing calls for the UK government to suspend arms sales to Israel following an attack on aid workers from the World Central Kitchen.

The origins of the Wednesday letter can be traced back to a previous letter, dated October 26, wherein legal professionals expressed profound concerns regarding the UK government’s responsibility to prevent complicity in serious breaches of international humanitarian law in Gaza. Since then, the authors of the letter pointed to significant developments which have unfolded, exacerbating the dire situation and necessitating urgent intervention.

The letter highlighted the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) January 26 provisional order, which concluded there is a plausible risk of genocide in Gaza. In the time since that order, the letter described how the humanitarian conditions in Gaza have worsened. Civilians in Gaza now face the threat of famine, the targeting of civilian populations and a potential ground offensive from Israel Defense Forces (IDF) that could result in significant civilian casualties.

In response to the worsening situation, the letter called for the UK government to take five specific actions, anchored in international legal principles and obligations. The five actions include:

1. The UK government is called upon to work towards a permanent ceasefire actively and effectively in Gaza, aligning with international efforts for peace and stability in the region.
2. The UK government is called upon to ensure that measures are taken for the safe access to and delivery of essential goods and medical assistance to Palestinians in Gaza. This includes a firm commitment to continue UK funding to UNRWA without delay, recognizing the vital role of humanitarian agencies in alleviating suffering.
3. Individuals and entities inciting ‘genocide’ against Palestinians should face targeted sanctions, reflecting a commitment to accountability and justice under international law.
4. The letter urges the suspension of providing weapons and weapons systems to the Israeli government, aligning with international norms aimed at preventing the escalation of armed conflict and protecting civilian lives.
5. Suspending the 2030 Road Map for UK-Israeli bilateral relations and negotiations towards an enhanced trade agreement. It further advocates for a comprehensive review of the UK’s trade agreement with Israel, with potential considerations for imposed targeted sanctions in response to the ongoing violations of international law.

The letter is signed by a diverse array of legal professionals, including former Supreme Court justices, retired judges, legal academics and practitioners.