British Arabs press new prime minister Andy Burnham on equal treatment and Palestine

Dozens of doctors, academics, lawyers, journalists, business leaders and representatives of Arab organisations in Britain have sent a joint letter to Prime Minister Andy Burnham, calling for regular channels of dialogue with British Arabs, fairer policies on racism, immigration, asylum and civil liberties, and a more active British role on Palestine and Sudan.

The letter, dated 28 July 2026, goes beyond congratulating Burnham on becoming prime minister. It sets out a series of political and social demands from a community that says it contributes to key sectors across Britain.

The signatories call for greater participation in public life and policymaking affecting the community and Britain's relations with the Arab world. Their demands are organised around six themes: tackling racism and discrimination, protecting freedom of expression, assembly and peaceful protest, reforming the immigration and asylum system, ensuring equal opportunities, strengthening the participation of British Arabs in public life, and adopting a more active policy on Palestine and Sudan.

The demands for equality and representation carry particular significance in light of the gap between the professional and educational presence of British Arabs and their access to public institutions and sustainable opportunities.

Official figures help measure this gap, challenging the common perception that links the Arab community with poor integration.

Strong professional presence, limited representation

Around 332,000 people identified themselves as Arab in the 2021 census in England and Wales, accounting for 0.6% of the population.

The figure does not necessarily represent everyone of Arab origin, as the census relies on the ethnic identity individuals choose from the available categories.

Data from the Office for National Statistics shows Arabs were among the groups with a strong presence in professional occupations, including medicine, education and law, after Irish, Chinese and Indian groups.

Graduate Outcomes data also found that 34.1% of Arab graduates continued into further study, with or without employment, one year after graduating. This was the highest proportion among the groups included in the data.

However, Graduate Outcomes data also showed that 14% of Arab graduates had no recorded "sustained destination" in employment or education one year after graduation. This was the highest proportion among the groups covered, according to figures for the 2019-2020 tax year.

Underrepresentation is also reflected in the police workforce, where Arabs accounted for just 0.1% in 2023-2024 data, compared with around 0.6% of the working-age population in England and Wales.

In housing, the 2021 census found that 46% of Arabs lived in privately rented accommodation or rent-free housing, compared with around 20% of the population overall.

Meanwhile, 29% lived in social housing, compared with around 17% of the total population.

The Office for National Statistics said the relatively young average age of some groups, including Arabs, could partly explain the higher rate of private renting.

These figures do not demonstrate a failure of integration. Rather, they present a more complex picture, combining strong professional and educational participation with continuing gaps in opportunities, housing and institutional representation.

Abdel Moneim: A responsible voice from within Britain

British Egyptian doctor Omar Abdel Moneim, president and co-founder of Health Workers for Palestine, told The New Arab that the letter reflects "a responsible voice from within British society" and underlines the need for the government to address humanitarian crises, particularly in Palestine and Sudan, based on the principles of international law and human rights.

Abdel Moneim stressed the importance of protecting civilians and ensuring unhindered humanitarian access, calling on Britain to play a more active role in advancing justice and peace.

The list of signatories includes doctors and consultants working in the National Health Service, alongside figures from the legal, education, media, business and humanitarian sectors.

Adnan Humaidan: A structured partnership with government

Adnan Humaidan, editor-in-chief of the Arabs in Britain platform, said TNA that the letter represents an attempt to bring together the voices of experienced and influential British Arabs and express the community's priorities and aspirations during the new political period.

Humaidan said the aim goes beyond presenting demands and seeks to establish a more structured relationship and partnership with the government, particularly on equality, combating racism, civil liberties, immigration and asylum.

He added that British Arabs can contribute to strengthening ties between Britain and the Arab world through their professional expertise, knowledge of the region and community connections.

He said humanitarian crises occupy a central place in the letter, particularly Palestine, Gaza and Sudan, stressing the signatories' call for a more active British policy to protect civilians, support humanitarian access and uphold international law.

Sabah Mukhtar: Rejecting double standards

Sabah Mukhtar, president of the Arab Lawyers Association in the United Kingdom, remarked to TNA that the letter contains clear legal and human rights dimensions, beginning with equality, freedoms and tackling discrimination within Britain, and extending to international crises, particularly Palestine and Sudan.

Mukhtar stressed the need for Britain to uphold international law and international humanitarian law, protect civilians, support justice and accountability, and reject double standards in addressing human rights and humanitarian crises.

Israel's genocidal war on Gaza occupies the largest part of the letter.

The signatories expressed concern over what they described as insufficient British initiative and leadership on the Palestinian issue in recent years.

They said destruction, mass displacement, hunger and civilian deaths, alongside serious allegations relating to genocide, war crimes and other violations of international law, require urgent action based on principle.

They called on the government to use its diplomatic influence to protect civilians, prevent further violations, ensure sustained and unrestricted humanitarian access, support justice and accountability through the relevant international legal institutions, back Gaza's reconstruction and recovery, and work towards a just political solution that guarantees Palestinian rights and the right to self-determination while providing dignity, peace and security for everyone in the region.

The signatories welcomed Burnham's acknowledgement that the Labour Party did not respond appropriately to Gaza and that Britain could have, and should have, done more.

In an interview published by The Guardian on 9 July, Burnham apologised for Labour's initial response, saying Britain had been too slow to call for a ceasefire in Gaza and should apply greater pressure on the Israeli government.

The letter says Britain's approach must demonstrate that international law applies equally to everyone and that the lives and rights of Palestinian civilians deserve the same protection as those of other peoples.

Sudan, immigration and civil liberties

The signatories also urged the government to give greater and sustained attention to the war and humanitarian crisis in Sudan amid the displacement of millions, violence against civilians, hunger, the risk of famine and the destruction of essential services and infrastructure.

They called on Britain to strengthen its humanitarian and diplomatic efforts, facilitate the safe and effective delivery of aid, support accountability for those responsible for atrocities, and contribute to a lasting peaceful settlement led by the interests of the Sudanese people.

On immigration, they called for a system that is fair, humane, efficient and well managed, respects the dignity of migrants and refugees, processes applications effectively, protects those entitled to seek asylum, and complies with human rights standards and Britain's legal obligations.

They also called for action against anti-Arab racism, Islamophobia, antisemitism and all forms of hatred and discrimination, alongside protecting freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and lawful protest.

The signatories stressed the need to protect communities from hatred and discrimination, and from any unjust restriction of their fundamental civil liberties.

They concluded their letter by stating that "Britain is at its strongest when everyone feels they belong, their voices are heard, and their rights and dignity are respected, regardless of their origins, beliefs or backgrounds".

The signatories also expressed their readiness to engage in direct and constructive dialogue with the government on issues affecting British Arabs, their contributions to society and the role they can play in strengthening relations between the United Kingdom and the Arab world.

The letter reflects an effort to transform the diverse professional and social presence of British Arabs into a more organised civic voice that seeks participation in dialogue and policymaking, rather than remaining merely the subject of policy.

Article translated from Arabic by Afrah Almatwari. To read the original, click here.