Hundreds of UK lawyers, legal experts urge Starmer to sanction Israel over Gaza genocide

More than 800 legal professionals have signed an open letter to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, urging the government to impose sanctions on Israel over its ongoing war on Gaza, which they warn constitutes, or risks becoming, a genocide.

The letter, made public on Monday, includes signatures from two former Supreme Court justices, Lord Sumption and Lord Wilson, over 70 King's Counsel, and hundreds of barristers, solicitors, legal academics, and law firm representatives.

The 34-page letter argues that the UK is failing in its legal obligation to prevent genocide and uphold international law.

"Genocide is being perpetrated in Gaza or, at a minimum, there is a serious risk of genocide occurring," it reads, citing statements by Israeli ministers, declared government plans for Gaza and its population, and the conduct of Israeli forces in the enclave.

On 16 May, the Israeli military launched a fresh ground offensive, aiming to occupy the entire Gaza Strip and forcibly displace its population, following a complete blockade of humanitarian aid that began on 2 March.

The blockade has deepened famine conditions across Gaza, where nearly 54,000 Palestinians have been killed since Israel's assault began in October 2023.

The letter also highlights widespread violations of international law across the occupied Palestinian territories, including war crimes.

It notes that in July 2024, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) found Israel to be in breach of international law in the occupied territories and criticised the UK for failing to fulfil its legal obligations to prevent such violations.

The ICJ is currently overseeing a case brought by South Africa in late 2023, accusing Israel of breaching the Genocide Convention.

The court has since issued multiple provisional rulings ordering Israel to take steps to prevent genocide in Gaza.

Last week, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced targeted sanctions against prominent Israeli settler leaders in the occupied West Bank and froze ongoing trade talks with Israel.

The UK also joined Canada and France in calling for an immediate halt to Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, warning of "concrete actions" if the situation worsens.

But the letter urges the UK to take stronger steps, including imposing financial and immigration sanctions on Israeli officials involved in the war, halting arms sales, enforcing trade restrictions, and supporting any arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant.