LONDON: A coalition of 17 UK charities and advocacy groups has called on Andy Burnham, Britain’s incoming prime minister, to take what it described as urgent action over the war in Gaza and the situation in the occupied West Bank, saying the government must do more to uphold international law and protect Palestinian civilians.
The joint statement, issued on Tuesday, was signed by organizations including Amnesty International UK, Save the Children UK, ActionAid UK, Medical Aid for Palestinians, Christian Aid, CAFOD, Islamic Relief UK, Muslim Aid and the Council for Arab-British Understanding.
The groups said Palestinians continue to face widespread violence, displacement and severe humanitarian conditions in Gaza, while military operations and settler violence in the occupied West Bank have intensified.
The coalition also cited findings by a recent UN Commission of Inquiry, which concluded that Israeli forces and authorities had committed genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes in Gaza, while also documenting alleged war crimes in the West Bank. Israel rejects accusations that it is committing genocide.
Halla Keir, advocacy and research manager at Medical Aid for Palestinians, said the UK’s obligations under international law were clear and urged the new government to take decisive action.
