UK Accused of Complicity in Gaza Crimes

An unofficial tribunal led by former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has accused the UK government of complicity in crimes committed by Israel against Palestinians in Gaza. The tribunal, which included two specialists in international law, found that the government had failed to meet its legal obligations under international law and contributed to the mass killing of Palestinian civilians.

The report, set to be published on Monday, recommends that the UK end all arms exports to Israel, stop sharing intelligence, and review its trade relations with the country. It also calls for the government to release all licensing data, publish all legal advice concerning its obligation to prevent genocide, set up a full public inquiry, and provide the International Court of Justice (ICJ) with all surveillance footage compiled during RAF overflights of Gaza.

The Foreign Office has denied the allegations, stating that it has imposed three sets of sanctions in response to settler violence in the West Bank and opposes all forms of forced displacement. Middle East minister Hamish Falconer told MPs earlier this month that the government was due to update parliament on the wider issues posed by the ICJ advisory opinion.

Meanwhile, dozens of MPs are calling for the government to formally apologize for Britain's actions during its administration of Palestine in the first part of the 20th century. A 400-page legal petition submitted by the Britain Owes Palestine campaign group details what it says are unlawful actions and war crimes committed during the British occupation of the region between 1917 and 1948.

The tribunal's findings are likely to be used by the left to attack Labour in the upcoming local elections. A Vote Palestine 2026 campaign backed by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign is calling for Gaza to be on the ballot paper, given that local councils invest billions in Israel. So far, 1,200 council candidates have signed the PSC's commitment to Palestine.