Dozens of Arab Figures in Britain Demand Apology from David Lammy

30 October 2024

Dozens of prominent figures from the Arab community in Britain have issued an open letter demanding that British Foreign Secretary David Lammy retract his recent statements and apologize for what they described as belittling the genocide crimes being committed by Israel in Gaza.

The letter, launched by the “Arab Forum in Britain,” highlights widespread anger and condemnation from the Arab community regarding what is considered a marginalization of the reality of the genocide faced by the Gaza Strip.

Genocide in Gaza

On Monday, October 28, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy made statements in the British Parliament regarding the situation in Gaza, stating that using the term “genocide” to describe the situation in the territory is “a diminishment of historical crimes” that the world considers genocide.

It is worth noting that Lammy’s remarks came in response to a question from Conservative MP Nick Timothy, where the Foreign Secretary claimed that labeling the crisis in Gaza as “genocide” involves a misunderstanding of internationally recognized crimes.

Ignoring international principles

In a clear statement, the signatories of the letter from the British Arab community affirmed that Lammy’s statements ignore recognized international principles that criminalize actions aimed at destroying population groups and impose international responsibility on their perpetrators.

You can sign the letter through this link.

The letter pointed out that such statements diminish the gravity of violations, especially in light of documentation by international and UN organizations of the ongoing events in Gaza.

It also highlighted reports from the UN Special Rapporteur, Francesca Albanese, confirming that Israel has committed acts that fit the international definition of genocide, along with other reports from human rights organizations condemning Israel’s actions and considering them crimes against humanity.

The Deteriorating Humanitarian Situation in Gaza

The letter expressed significant concern over the escalating humanitarian violations in Gaza, where the UNRWA has been forced to leave the territory, leaving over a million Palestinians deprived of basic necessities such as food and medical assistance.

It added that failing to recognize the scale of this humanitarian crisis could contribute to distorting the true picture of ongoing atrocities, potentially leading—intentionally or unintentionally—to shielding those responsible for these violations from accountability.

The letter called on the British government and world leaders to take a firm stance on supporting international law and ensuring the protection of Palestinian civilians under the current circumstances.

Community Support and Solidarity

In a show of solidarity, the letter urged citizens who wish to support this position to sign an official statement that seeks to unify voices in pressuring the British government for immediate action to hold Israel accountable and ensure that such statements, deemed inconsistent with ethical and humanitarian standards, do not recur.

You can sign the letter through this link.