On 14 December we wrote to Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer, Prime Minister, and Rt Hon Yvette Cooper, Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs to ask when the government will take action to end its complicity and enabling of Israel’s genocide against the Palestinian peoples. There is no peace in the Holy Land this Christmas. We urge readers to use this as a template for your own letter to your Member of Parliament or local press.
Your government continues to enable Israel’s genocide of the Palestinian people, without condemning Israel’s actions – there is no peace in the Holy Land this Christmas
The Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom UK (WILPF) is writing to challenge you, because the UK is continuing to enable Israel’s genocide of the Palestinian people, yet your government has not spoken out to condemn Israel’s actions in Gaza and the West Bank.
Since the so-called “ceasefire” in Gaza was announced, Israel has killed at least 377 Palestinians and injured more than 900 to date. Children have been shot by the IDF for approaching the “yellow line”. Instead of the 600 trucks of food and medicine a day, essential for life in Gaza, Israel is still blocking 85% of the trucks from entering the crossing points.
The value of arms imports by Israel from the UK more than doubled in 2024 compared to any of the previous three years.
In fact, at more than £5 billion in 2024, UK trade with Israel is sustaining Israel’s illegal settlement expansion across occupied Palestinian territory.
The UK is breaching its legal duty to prevent violations of international law because, according to the International Court of Justice, countries must take steps to prevent genocide and must not aid or assist Israel’s illegal occupation.
Israel is still in total control of more than half the Gaza strip. Meanwhile, Israeli settlers are destroying houses and olive trees in the West Bank.
Your government is making a political choice not to condemn Israel’s actions in Gaza and the West Bank. Yet principled citizens who protest are on hunger strike in UK jails.
There is no peace in the Holy Land this Christmas. WILPF wants to know when the UK government will act to end its complicity and enabling of Israel’s genocide.
Yours in peace
