Damning testimony presented at a independent People's Tribunal in London has accused the British government of a "deliberate and systematic failure" to meet its legal obligations to prevent genocide in Gaza, choosing instead to continue arms exports and diplomatic support for Israel.
A Pattern of Ignored Warnings
Witnesses, including leading international lawyers and human rights experts, outlined a shocking pattern of ignored evidence. They presented documentation showing that UK ministers were repeatedly made aware of the risk of genocide and specific war crimes, yet failed to take meaningful action to halt arms sales or use diplomatic leverage.
The Legal Obligation to Act
Under the 1948 Genocide Convention, all signatory states—including the UK—have a solemn duty not just to avoid genocide themselves, but to prevent it from occurring anywhere. The tribunal heard that by continuing to supply arms and political cover, the UK may have become complicit in the very atrocities it was legally bound to stop.
"A Conspiracy of Silence"
One expert witness described the government's approach as a "conspiracy of silence and deliberate ignorance." Despite clear rulings from international courts and overwhelming evidence from humanitarian organisations on the ground, UK policy remained steadfastly supportive of Israeli military operations.
What the Tribunal Demands
The People's Tribunal, while not a formal court, aims to create a permanent record of evidence often excluded from mainstream political discourse. Its findings will be presented to parliamentarians and international legal bodies, increasing pressure on the government to:
- Immediately suspend all arms exports to Israel.
- Publicly support international justice mechanisms investigating potential war crimes.
- Account for its failure to uphold its fundamental duties under international law.
The testimony paints a bleak picture of a government prioritising geopolitical alliances over its foundational legal and moral responsibilities, with potentially devastating consequences for its international standing and the victims of the conflict.
