ICJP and Labour Muslim Network request 6 actions for Palestine from Burnham’s government
Prominent organizations demanded that the British government take practical and immediate steps to stop Israeli violations in the occupied Palestinian territories, and to move from the stage of verbal condemnation to actual compliance with international law.
This came in a comprehensive policy briefing prepared by the International Centre of Justice for Palestinians (ICJP) in cooperation with the Labour Muslim Network (LMN), and addressed directly to the British Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary.
These moves coincide with the commitments of Andy Burnham’s government to strengthen its policies towards the Palestinian cause, as the briefing identified six key areas in which London must act immediately to fill the gap between its declared commitments and its policies on the ground, particularly following the advisory opinion issued by the International Court of Justice in July 2024.
What are the main points contained in the legal briefing addressed to the British government?
The International Centre of Justice for Palestinians (ICJP) and the Labour Muslim Network (LMN) issued a major policy briefing dedicated to the British government, titled: “Legal Briefing: Priority Measures for UK Policy on Palestine”.
The document identifies six key areas in which Britain must adopt additional and urgent legal and policy measures, in response to illegal Israeli conduct in the occupied Palestinian territories, which include the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, in addition to the Gaza Strip.
The two organizations confirmed that these recommendations provide decision-makers with a practical legal and policy framework for action, pointing out that analysis of the six areas reveals clear gaps between Britain’s declared commitment to international law and the practical results of its actual policies.
The briefing emphasized the necessity of aligning Britain’s domestic laws and policies with its international legal obligations, as clarified by the International Court of Justice in its advisory opinion issued in July 2024.
What are the six urgent measures requested by the rights briefing?
The briefing included six interconnected, top-priority areas in which the British government must take action:
- Illegal Israeli settlements: sanctions, economic relations and charitable funding;
- UNRWA: sustained UK funding and protection of the Agency’s mandate and operations;
- Religious sites and freedom of worship: protection of Palestinian access to holy sites and places of worship, and defence of the status quo at Al-Aqsa and the Muslim and Christian holy sites of Jerusalem;
- Arms exports: suspension of all military exports and transfers capable of supporting Israeli military operations;
- Protection of Palestinian civilians in the occupied West Bank: a UK-led initiative at the UN Security Council for an international protective presence; and
- British nationals serving in the IDF: accountability and reform of the domestic legal framework.
Is London waiting for the Israeli elections, or is it acting in accordance with international law?
The UK Government must not wait for the outcome of upcoming Israeli elections to act. The UK must end its pattern of expressing condemnation without consequence while Israel continues to impose unlawful facts on the ground with impunity. The ICJ’s Advisory Opinion establishes clear and immediate obligations for third states, including the UK, in relation to non-recognition, non-assistance and the requirement to distinguish in their dealings between Israel and the oPt – action that is both a legal obligation and an urgent necessity.
If the government is serious about fulfilling its obligations under international law, it must ensure that it implements concrete policies as detailed in this briefing.
Neil Sammonds, ICJP’s Head of Public Affairs and Communications, said:
For years, ICJP and other NGOs, including Palestinian and Israeli ones, as well as UN bodies and human rights experts, have consistently put the evidence of war crimes, of the UK’s obligations and the urgent need for concrete action in front of successive UK Governments. But meaningful action has been lacking.
This Labour Government has repeatedly said that it stands for human rights and international law. But statements of principle mean little if they are not reflected in policy and action. We have set out the law, the evidence and the steps required. The Government must put stated commitments into practice.
To the Foreign Secretary and the Prime Minister, I would say this: you have overwhelming evidence of Palestinians and Palestine being erased, with impunity. You have clear legal obligations and you have the means to act. What is needed now is the political will.
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