Prominent legal figures, including former Supreme Court judges and MEPs, challenge the UK and EU’s stance on arms exports to Israel, citing concerns of genocide in Gaza and inconsistencies in international response.
In a series of unfolding international reactions to the ongoing situation in Gaza, notable legal and political figures have raised concerns about Israel’s conduct and the role of various governments in supplying arms to Israel or remaining silent on accusations of genocide. A letter, endorsed by former Supreme Court judges including Lady Hale and hundreds of legal experts, admonishes the UK government for its arms exports to Israel, suggesting such actions contravene international law. This criticism hinges on the catastrophic conditions in Gaza and references findings from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the risk of genocide. The signatories urge the UK to cease arms exports to Israel and to sanction figures inciting genocide. This move is bolstered by public sentiment, as indicated by a YouGov poll showing majority support for an arms ban to Israel, and comes amidst Conservative MPs’ calls for action following the deaths of three British nationals in an Israeli airstrike.
Parallel to this, Irish MEP Barry Andrews has lambasted European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for not addressing the genocide case against Israel at the ICJ. Andrews has encouraged other EU states to support Ireland’s legal intervention in the case, stressing the need for protection of civilians and the importance of facilitating access to essential supplies in Gaza as mandated by interim orders of the ICJ. His critiques extend to the European Union’s broader stance, highlighting perceived inconsistencies in its response to the crises in Ukraine and Gaza and advocating for a more robust, concerted action to uphold international law.
The unfolding dialogue reflects a growing demand from legal and political circles for a reevaluation of policies related to arms exports to Israel and a more proactive stance on international legal proceedings. The UK government’s legal position on arms exports amidst these allegations remains unpublished, while the EU faces calls for a unified and decisive approach to the allegations of genocide in Gaza.
