We wrote to John Healey, Secretary of State for Defence expressing our horror at the information (from a statement by the Armed Forces Minister in the House of Commons) that the UK Government is currently training Israeli Defence Force soldiers in the UK, in addition to the continuing supply of military equipment and use of spy plane flights over Gaza to provide surveillance information to Israel. We encourage you to contact your own Member of Parliament or local press using this letter as a template.
Dear Minister
Outrage that the UK government is currently training Israeli Defence Force soldiers in the UK
The Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) has over 100 years’ experience seeking out the root causes of war and conflict, working through WILPF’s consultative status at the United Nations, and using negotiation and conciliation to bring an end to conflict.
WILPF has already added our voice to the many individuals and organisations calling for a ceasefire and a negotiated peaceful solution in Palestine. We are therefore horrified to receive information (from a statement by the Armed Forces Minister in the House of Commons) that the UK Government is currently training Israeli Defence Force soldiers in the UK, in addition to the continuing supply of military equipment and use of spy plane flights over Gaza to provide surveillance information to Israel.
In the last few weeks members of the UK Government have at last acknowledged that Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian people, through the continuing bombing of infrastructure and the prevention of food and humanitarian aid supplies to the population. How can you justify continuing military support in the face of such blatant disregard of international human rights?
WILPF is opposed to all wars. The conflicts in the Middle East must and will ultimately be resolved by mediation and negotiation.
WILPF UK urges the UK government to stop its complicity in the outrage of the Gaza war and stop all arms transfers and military support to Israel forthwith.
We look forward to hearing your response.
