UK Action for Lasting Peace in Palestine and Israel
The Issue
To His Majesty’s Government of the United Kingdom
In adherence to international humanitarian principles and the spirit of global justice, we, the undersigned, comprising international graduates from UK universities and other institutions of higher learning, collectively implore the UK Government to implement the following measures with immediate effect:
- Cease any and all UK assistance to Israel that may be construed as participation in or endorsement of the war crimes and genocide in Gaza, particularly the provision of military aid and support.
- Leverage its diplomatic power to advocate for an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire among all parties in the Israel-Hamas war to avert further humanitarian catastrophe, especially in the Gaza Strip.
- Ensure that UK policies defend the rights to free speech and peaceful assembly, countering any political efforts aimed at silencing protests against war crimes and injustices in Gaza and the West Bank
- Protect the rights of individuals who speak out against indiscriminate attacks on civilians in both Palestine and Israel from unjust persecution by employers, particularly on campuses.
- Strive for an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories and the dismantling of illegal settlements, deeming these actions essential for the achievement of the internationally advocated two-state solution.
A humanitarian catastrophe
We, the undersigned, recognise and firmly condemn the indiscriminate attacks against civilians by Hamas on October 7, 2023, acknowledging these actions as reprehensible. The attacks have led to the death of around 1,200 individuals in Israel, with a significant number of these casualties occurring on the day of the assault, illustrating the severity of the offensive.
By the same logic and moral clarity, we also condemn the severe repercussions of Israel’s use of excessive force and collective punitive measures, which have wrought profound suffering upon civilians in Gaza. Israel’s actions, marked by their severity and broad impact, exceed mere retaliation and have led to immeasurable loss and trauma that is difficult to fully comprehend. Since October 7, the death toll in Gaza has exceeded 10,000, among which more than 4,000 are children.
We implore His Majesty’s Government to heed the urgent plea from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), which calls for immediate de-escalation in the Gaza Strip after weeks of intense fighting left over two million civilians trapped without safe refuge. ICRC President Mirjana Spoljaric has denounced the "intolerable level of human suffering" and the tragic civilian losses, deeming it utterly unacceptable for civilians to have no safe refuge amid bombardments and a restrictive military siege.
The consequences from inaction are grave. Amnesty International has confirmed damning evidence of war crimes in Israel’s bombing campaigns, including the use of white phosphorus in Gaza. It further notes that the crisis in Gaza is exacerbated by a catastrophic humanitarian situation resulting from Israel’s 16-year-long blockade, which since October 9, has been tightened into a total siege, cutting off adequate access to food, water, electricity, fuel, and humanitarian aid.
The World Health Organisation has unequivocally condemned the ongoing assaults on healthcare establishments in Gaza. In its latest bulletin, the WHO has identified 102 attacks on healthcare facilities, leading to at least 504 deaths and 459 injuries. The WHO sees these attacks as potential violations of International Humanitarian Law.
Driven by an overarching responsibility to uphold every individual's right to safety, peace, and personal security, as UK graduates we find ourselves obliged to step forward and implore the UK Government to take action. This intervention is not only a moral imperative but also an aspiration to adhere to and enforce international humanitarian laws, ensuring that these fundamental principles are respected and implemented globally.
Humanity over strategic interests
The deployment of UK military assets to the Middle East, while intended to support de-escalation efforts, invites critical scrutiny from an international law and ethical responsibility perspective. The allocation of surveillance planes, naval vessels, helicopters, and Royal Marine contingents for what is described as “practical support to Israel” requires thorough review to ensure it aligns with the Arms Trade Treaty and other relevant international legal frameworks.
Data from the Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) reveals that the UK is a notable supplier of arms to Israel. The UK supplies parts that constitute 15% of the F-35 stealth combat planes that Israel is employing in its continuous bombardment of Gaza, targeting schools, hospitals, and residential zones. They have cautiously estimated the value of this arms trade at £336 million (€386 million) since 2016.
We, the undersigned, echo the critique of Avi Shlaim, the distinguished Israeli-British historian and professor emeritus of international relations at Oxford University, who argues that the military assistance provided by the UK and other Western powers to Israel rendered them complicit in the “mass slaughter” in Gaza. Such support, Shlaim asserts, is indicative of “the usual hypocrisy and ruthless double standards” of Western nations, whose affinity for Israel has consistently necessitated the dismissal of Palestinian history and identity. Concurrently, UK Parliamentarian Crispin Blunt also warned that the UK could be complicit in war crimes in Gaza and might face legal consequences if it fails to do more to restrain Israel, a concern that is also shared by fellow member of parliament, Zara Sultana.
Blunt’s observations crystalise as Francesca Albanese, UN special rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories, criticized the UK for giving Israel carte blanche “to do whatever it pleases.” Craig Mokhiber, who recently resigned as the director of the UN high commissioner for human rights in New York, accused the US, the UK, and much of Europe of being “wholly complicit in the horrific assault” on the Palestinian enclave by Israeli forces, an act he described as genocide. On a similar vain, over 300 UK barristers and international law scholars have signed an open letter, reminding His Majesty’s Government that it is bound by the duty to prevent the crime of genocide under the 1948 Genocide Convention.
As a collective of concerned individuals, we urge His Majesty's Government to re-evaluate its foreign policy and arms trade practices to ensure they are congruent with international humanitarian law, prioritizing the prevention of human suffering and upholding human rights over strategic interests.
Hope for a lasting ceasefire
Toeing the stance of the United States, the UK Government has suggested that short-term “humanitarian pauses” may be necessary to facilitate the delivery of aid and the release of captives. This insistence for a pause has led to consistent rejection of UN resolutions that demand an immediate and sustained ceasefire.
We, the undersigned, contend that the UK government's proposal and narrative are inadequate for establishing a lasting cessation of hostilities among all parties involved, which is essential to ensure the uninterrupted delivery of humanitarian assistance in the Gaza Strip.
Gateways to Gaza have been effectively shut down, with the exception of the Rafah border crossing. Despite the gradual uptick in the amount of humanitarian aid trickling through the border, the UN World Food Program said they are “nowhere near enough” to meet the exponentially growing needs. For weeks, the WFP has been pleading for an expanded humanitarian access as humanitarian needs skyrocket and critical food supplies reach dangerously low levels.
Doctors Without Borders has repeatedly called for an immediate ceasefire, pleading for critically needed humanitarian supplies and staff to enter Gaza, where hospitals are overwhelmed and the healthcare system is facing total collapse.
Drawing from the insights of Helen Duffy, a professor of international humanitarian law and human rights at Leiden University in the Netherlands, the term “humanitarian pause” clearly indicates a temporary stoppage. Such a distinction, she said, sends a message that the cessation is provisional and may lead to a resumption of conflict. On the other hand, the term “ceasefire” or “cessation of hostilities” implies a possibility of a permanent end to hostilities.
Given these valid concerns, we urge His Majesty’s Government to reconsider its position and support not just fleeting humanitarian pauses, but a robust and binding ceasefire. Such a stance would reflect a commitment to long-term peace and the well-being of all affected populations in Palestine and Israel, particularly the hostages, rather than temporary and insufficient measures.
Free speech in jeopardy
In the United Kingdom, it is imperative that the government and its apparatus maintain and protect the democratic rights to free speech and peaceful assembly, particularly with regard to demonstrations against perceived war crimes and injustices in Gaza. These rights are pillars of a free society and serve as a barometer for our shared commitment to human rights and justice.
We are alarmed by the troubling rhetoric from certain government officials and law enforcement officers, who wrongfully conflate free speech in support of the Palestinian plight with antisemitism or even support for the actions of Hamas.
In particular, we are highly concerned of the fact that UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman has urged police and crime commissioners to evaluate slogans like "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free" to determine if they represent a call for the elimination of Israel and, as such, qualify as a racially aggravated criminal offense. Speaking in concert, Robin Simcox, UK’s Commissioner for Countering Extremism, has suggested that those who have protested against Israel's military engagement in Gaza using this chant are indirectly expressing "death to Jews." Compounding these logical fallacies, London's Metropolitan Police Chief, Mark Rowley, has called for “sharper” laws in dealing with extremism. He also said his officers are working “ruthlessly” to apprehend individuals who step over the line and engage in hate crimes.
We observe these developments with considerable alarm as other European nations, including France, Germany, Hungary, and Austria, have prohibited demonstrations in support of Palestine, detaining those who ignore the ban. Beyond these official restrictions, there has been a surge in localized attempts to suppress pro-Palestine voices through dismissals, the cancellation of events, and the imposition of criminal charges.
As UK alumni, we hold a firm belief in the steadfastness of British legal principles. We hereby admonish the UK Government to uphold its unwavering commitment to the sacrosanct right of free expression, a cornerstone of democratic society that is deeply revered. It is imperative that no individual is subject to persecution or professional reprisals as a consequence of exercising this fundamental right. Any deviation from this tenet not only undermines the rule of law but also erodes the democratic fabric that we collectively value and must preserve.
End occupation now!
The October 7 attack by Hamas, however deplorable for its impact on Israeli civilians, did not happen in a vacuum. In the last half-century, Israel has razed countless Palestinian structures and caused widespread displacement to facilitate the construction of housing and utilities for its citizens in areas under occupation. This has included the reallocation of Palestinian water and farmland for these settlements.
As of today, the West Bank is occupied by 146 recognized Israeli settlements, with an additional 14 located in East Jerusalem. On top of this, there are in excess of 100 unofficial Israeli enclaves within the West Bank. Excluding East Jerusalem, the settler population in the West Bank exceeds 450,000, while around 220,000 are settled in East Jerusalem. The Golan Heights also hosts over 25,000 Israeli settlers.
The international community deems these settlements illegal under international law. The UN has consistently maintained that Israel's settlement activity constitutes a flagrant violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention. In his 2021 report, Mychael Lynk, the UN Human Rights Council's special rapporteur, has labeled the Israeli settlements as a war crime. In a 2019 statement, then International Criminal Court Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda said war crimes were committed in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza, concluding that potential cases from these events are suitable for adjudication.
Israeli historian Ilan Pappé, a professor of social sciences and international studies at the University of Exeter who himself was conscripted into the Israeli Defence Force and served in the Golan Heights during the 1973 Yom Kippur War, said Israel is the last remaining active settler-colonialist project in the world that is based on “dehumanization and elimination”. Many other Israeli scholars share the same concern. Benny Morris, professor emeritus at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, and Zach Adam, professor emeritus at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, are among 700 academics and public figures from Israel, Palestine and North American Jewish groups who in August published an open letter equating Israel’s occupation of the West Bank with apartheid and calling for an end to what they deem as “Jewish supremacism” that is enshrined in the 2018 Nation State Law.
The occupation of Palestinian territories by Israel stands as one of the most significant barriers to peace. It is an impediment to the internationally supported two-state solution—a resolution necessary for long-term stability and coexistence. History has taught us that true security and peace come not from domination of military might, but from justice and mutual respect. With this, we implore His Majesty’s government to demonstrate its commitment to international law, human rights and the pursuit of peace by employing all means at its disposal to ensure an end to Israel occupation.
Our demand is neither new nor unique. In what many consider as his “last message”, read to an International Conference of Parliamentarians meeting in Cairo on February 3, 1970, three days after his death, the great British philosopher and Nobel laureate Bertrand Russell said the tragedy of the people of Palestine is that their country was given by a foreign power to another people for the creation of a new state.
"Justice requires that the first step towards a settlement must be an Israeli withdrawal from all the territories occupied in June, 1967," said Russel.
We call upon His Majesty’s Government, as a former colonial ruler of Mandatory Palestine, to stand on the right side of history and strive for a lasting peace between the people of Palestine and Israel.
In solidarity,
International graduates of UK universities and other institutions of higher learning
1,584
The Issue
To His Majesty’s Government of the United Kingdom
In adherence to international humanitarian principles and the spirit of global justice, we, the undersigned, comprising international graduates from UK universities and other institutions of higher learning, collectively implore the UK Government to implement the following measures with immediate effect:
- Cease any and all UK assistance to Israel that may be construed as participation in or endorsement of the war crimes and genocide in Gaza, particularly the provision of military aid and support.
- Leverage its diplomatic power to advocate for an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire among all parties in the Israel-Hamas war to avert further humanitarian catastrophe, especially in the Gaza Strip.
- Ensure that UK policies defend the rights to free speech and peaceful assembly, countering any political efforts aimed at silencing protests against war crimes and injustices in Gaza and the West Bank
- Protect the rights of individuals who speak out against indiscriminate attacks on civilians in both Palestine and Israel from unjust persecution by employers, particularly on campuses.
- Strive for an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories and the dismantling of illegal settlements, deeming these actions essential for the achievement of the internationally advocated two-state solution.
A humanitarian catastrophe
We, the undersigned, recognise and firmly condemn the indiscriminate attacks against civilians by Hamas on October 7, 2023, acknowledging these actions as reprehensible. The attacks have led to the death of around 1,200 individuals in Israel, with a significant number of these casualties occurring on the day of the assault, illustrating the severity of the offensive.
By the same logic and moral clarity, we also condemn the severe repercussions of Israel’s use of excessive force and collective punitive measures, which have wrought profound suffering upon civilians in Gaza. Israel’s actions, marked by their severity and broad impact, exceed mere retaliation and have led to immeasurable loss and trauma that is difficult to fully comprehend. Since October 7, the death toll in Gaza has exceeded 10,000, among which more than 4,000 are children.
We implore His Majesty’s Government to heed the urgent plea from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), which calls for immediate de-escalation in the Gaza Strip after weeks of intense fighting left over two million civilians trapped without safe refuge. ICRC President Mirjana Spoljaric has denounced the "intolerable level of human suffering" and the tragic civilian losses, deeming it utterly unacceptable for civilians to have no safe refuge amid bombardments and a restrictive military siege.
The consequences from inaction are grave. Amnesty International has confirmed damning evidence of war crimes in Israel’s bombing campaigns, including the use of white phosphorus in Gaza. It further notes that the crisis in Gaza is exacerbated by a catastrophic humanitarian situation resulting from Israel’s 16-year-long blockade, which since October 9, has been tightened into a total siege, cutting off adequate access to food, water, electricity, fuel, and humanitarian aid.
The World Health Organisation has unequivocally condemned the ongoing assaults on healthcare establishments in Gaza. In its latest bulletin, the WHO has identified 102 attacks on healthcare facilities, leading to at least 504 deaths and 459 injuries. The WHO sees these attacks as potential violations of International Humanitarian Law.
Driven by an overarching responsibility to uphold every individual's right to safety, peace, and personal security, as UK graduates we find ourselves obliged to step forward and implore the UK Government to take action. This intervention is not only a moral imperative but also an aspiration to adhere to and enforce international humanitarian laws, ensuring that these fundamental principles are respected and implemented globally.
Humanity over strategic interests
The deployment of UK military assets to the Middle East, while intended to support de-escalation efforts, invites critical scrutiny from an international law and ethical responsibility perspective. The allocation of surveillance planes, naval vessels, helicopters, and Royal Marine contingents for what is described as “practical support to Israel” requires thorough review to ensure it aligns with the Arms Trade Treaty and other relevant international legal frameworks.
Data from the Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) reveals that the UK is a notable supplier of arms to Israel. The UK supplies parts that constitute 15% of the F-35 stealth combat planes that Israel is employing in its continuous bombardment of Gaza, targeting schools, hospitals, and residential zones. They have cautiously estimated the value of this arms trade at £336 million (€386 million) since 2016.
We, the undersigned, echo the critique of Avi Shlaim, the distinguished Israeli-British historian and professor emeritus of international relations at Oxford University, who argues that the military assistance provided by the UK and other Western powers to Israel rendered them complicit in the “mass slaughter” in Gaza. Such support, Shlaim asserts, is indicative of “the usual hypocrisy and ruthless double standards” of Western nations, whose affinity for Israel has consistently necessitated the dismissal of Palestinian history and identity. Concurrently, UK Parliamentarian Crispin Blunt also warned that the UK could be complicit in war crimes in Gaza and might face legal consequences if it fails to do more to restrain Israel, a concern that is also shared by fellow member of parliament, Zara Sultana.
Blunt’s observations crystalise as Francesca Albanese, UN special rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories, criticized the UK for giving Israel carte blanche “to do whatever it pleases.” Craig Mokhiber, who recently resigned as the director of the UN high commissioner for human rights in New York, accused the US, the UK, and much of Europe of being “wholly complicit in the horrific assault” on the Palestinian enclave by Israeli forces, an act he described as genocide. On a similar vain, over 300 UK barristers and international law scholars have signed an open letter, reminding His Majesty’s Government that it is bound by the duty to prevent the crime of genocide under the 1948 Genocide Convention.
As a collective of concerned individuals, we urge His Majesty's Government to re-evaluate its foreign policy and arms trade practices to ensure they are congruent with international humanitarian law, prioritizing the prevention of human suffering and upholding human rights over strategic interests.
Hope for a lasting ceasefire
Toeing the stance of the United States, the UK Government has suggested that short-term “humanitarian pauses” may be necessary to facilitate the delivery of aid and the release of captives. This insistence for a pause has led to consistent rejection of UN resolutions that demand an immediate and sustained ceasefire.
We, the undersigned, contend that the UK government's proposal and narrative are inadequate for establishing a lasting cessation of hostilities among all parties involved, which is essential to ensure the uninterrupted delivery of humanitarian assistance in the Gaza Strip.
Gateways to Gaza have been effectively shut down, with the exception of the Rafah border crossing. Despite the gradual uptick in the amount of humanitarian aid trickling through the border, the UN World Food Program said they are “nowhere near enough” to meet the exponentially growing needs. For weeks, the WFP has been pleading for an expanded humanitarian access as humanitarian needs skyrocket and critical food supplies reach dangerously low levels.
Doctors Without Borders has repeatedly called for an immediate ceasefire, pleading for critically needed humanitarian supplies and staff to enter Gaza, where hospitals are overwhelmed and the healthcare system is facing total collapse.
Drawing from the insights of Helen Duffy, a professor of international humanitarian law and human rights at Leiden University in the Netherlands, the term “humanitarian pause” clearly indicates a temporary stoppage. Such a distinction, she said, sends a message that the cessation is provisional and may lead to a resumption of conflict. On the other hand, the term “ceasefire” or “cessation of hostilities” implies a possibility of a permanent end to hostilities.
Given these valid concerns, we urge His Majesty’s Government to reconsider its position and support not just fleeting humanitarian pauses, but a robust and binding ceasefire. Such a stance would reflect a commitment to long-term peace and the well-being of all affected populations in Palestine and Israel, particularly the hostages, rather than temporary and insufficient measures.
Free speech in jeopardy
In the United Kingdom, it is imperative that the government and its apparatus maintain and protect the democratic rights to free speech and peaceful assembly, particularly with regard to demonstrations against perceived war crimes and injustices in Gaza. These rights are pillars of a free society and serve as a barometer for our shared commitment to human rights and justice.
We are alarmed by the troubling rhetoric from certain government officials and law enforcement officers, who wrongfully conflate free speech in support of the Palestinian plight with antisemitism or even support for the actions of Hamas.
In particular, we are highly concerned of the fact that UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman has urged police and crime commissioners to evaluate slogans like "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free" to determine if they represent a call for the elimination of Israel and, as such, qualify as a racially aggravated criminal offense. Speaking in concert, Robin Simcox, UK’s Commissioner for Countering Extremism, has suggested that those who have protested against Israel's military engagement in Gaza using this chant are indirectly expressing "death to Jews." Compounding these logical fallacies, London's Metropolitan Police Chief, Mark Rowley, has called for “sharper” laws in dealing with extremism. He also said his officers are working “ruthlessly” to apprehend individuals who step over the line and engage in hate crimes.
We observe these developments with considerable alarm as other European nations, including France, Germany, Hungary, and Austria, have prohibited demonstrations in support of Palestine, detaining those who ignore the ban. Beyond these official restrictions, there has been a surge in localized attempts to suppress pro-Palestine voices through dismissals, the cancellation of events, and the imposition of criminal charges.
As UK alumni, we hold a firm belief in the steadfastness of British legal principles. We hereby admonish the UK Government to uphold its unwavering commitment to the sacrosanct right of free expression, a cornerstone of democratic society that is deeply revered. It is imperative that no individual is subject to persecution or professional reprisals as a consequence of exercising this fundamental right. Any deviation from this tenet not only undermines the rule of law but also erodes the democratic fabric that we collectively value and must preserve.
End occupation now!
The October 7 attack by Hamas, however deplorable for its impact on Israeli civilians, did not happen in a vacuum. In the last half-century, Israel has razed countless Palestinian structures and caused widespread displacement to facilitate the construction of housing and utilities for its citizens in areas under occupation. This has included the reallocation of Palestinian water and farmland for these settlements.
As of today, the West Bank is occupied by 146 recognized Israeli settlements, with an additional 14 located in East Jerusalem. On top of this, there are in excess of 100 unofficial Israeli enclaves within the West Bank. Excluding East Jerusalem, the settler population in the West Bank exceeds 450,000, while around 220,000 are settled in East Jerusalem. The Golan Heights also hosts over 25,000 Israeli settlers.
The international community deems these settlements illegal under international law. The UN has consistently maintained that Israel's settlement activity constitutes a flagrant violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention. In his 2021 report, Mychael Lynk, the UN Human Rights Council's special rapporteur, has labeled the Israeli settlements as a war crime. In a 2019 statement, then International Criminal Court Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda said war crimes were committed in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza, concluding that potential cases from these events are suitable for adjudication.
Israeli historian Ilan Pappé, a professor of social sciences and international studies at the University of Exeter who himself was conscripted into the Israeli Defence Force and served in the Golan Heights during the 1973 Yom Kippur War, said Israel is the last remaining active settler-colonialist project in the world that is based on “dehumanization and elimination”. Many other Israeli scholars share the same concern. Benny Morris, professor emeritus at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, and Zach Adam, professor emeritus at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, are among 700 academics and public figures from Israel, Palestine and North American Jewish groups who in August published an open letter equating Israel’s occupation of the West Bank with apartheid and calling for an end to what they deem as “Jewish supremacism” that is enshrined in the 2018 Nation State Law.
The occupation of Palestinian territories by Israel stands as one of the most significant barriers to peace. It is an impediment to the internationally supported two-state solution—a resolution necessary for long-term stability and coexistence. History has taught us that true security and peace come not from domination of military might, but from justice and mutual respect. With this, we implore His Majesty’s government to demonstrate its commitment to international law, human rights and the pursuit of peace by employing all means at its disposal to ensure an end to Israel occupation.
Our demand is neither new nor unique. In what many consider as his “last message”, read to an International Conference of Parliamentarians meeting in Cairo on February 3, 1970, three days after his death, the great British philosopher and Nobel laureate Bertrand Russell said the tragedy of the people of Palestine is that their country was given by a foreign power to another people for the creation of a new state.
"Justice requires that the first step towards a settlement must be an Israeli withdrawal from all the territories occupied in June, 1967," said Russel.
We call upon His Majesty’s Government, as a former colonial ruler of Mandatory Palestine, to stand on the right side of history and strive for a lasting peace between the people of Palestine and Israel.
In solidarity,
International graduates of UK universities and other institutions of higher learning
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Petition created on 8 November 2023