On 24 July we wrote to Kier Starmer, following PM Questions, to get a clear answer to the question of whether the starvation of Palestinians is not a war crime. Please use this letter as a template to send to your own MP and local press.
Dear Prime Minister,
Clear definition required on what constitutes a war crime
On innumerable Wednesdays at PM Questions we watch our elected MPs raising vital issues with you, not least the war on Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank.
Along with WILPF UK (the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom), representing women working for peace in civil society, the MPs seem unable to get a clear answer from you to the question:
Is starving the Palestinian population, and shooting children as they queue for limited food aid, not a war crime?
Many agencies, including the United Nations, identify the way Israel is conducting its war against the Palestinian people as genocide.
WILPF has over 100 years’ experience offering negotiation and mediation as an alternative to conflict. We are pleased to see you using these skills to join with 24 other countries to call for an immediate end to the conflict, quoting humanitarian law to condemn the killing of hundreds of Palestinians.
However, your government could – and should – work urgently with these states to pressurise Israel by imposing an immediate and comprehensive arms embargo so that Prime Minister Netanyahu agrees a ceasefire with the return of hostages, and ends the blockade of food, water and medical aid to Gaza. Nothing less is acceptable to UK and world public opinion.
Yours in peace
