The SNP has demanded Prime Minister Keir Starmer intervenes on the genocide in Gaza, saying the Government “cannot sit silent” as famine is declared.
Brendan O’Hara, SNP Middle East Spokesperson, delivered a list of “immediate” actions for the PM to undertake, crediting them as legal obligations under the Geneva Convention, Genocide Convention, and the International Court of Justice (ICJ) Advisory Opinion of July 2024.
The letter came after the Israeli finance minister, Bezamel Smotrich, stated Israel’s plan is to “conquer, cleanse and stay” in Gaza.
O’Hara’s demands include a ban on arms sales to Israel, immediately recognising a Palestinian state and delivering aid to Gaza.
The MP for Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber also called on the Government to enforce an international arrest warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his cabinet members.
The letter follows Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney describing the Gaza conflict as a “genocide in plain sight” before urging the PM to recall parliament from its summer break and “hold Israel to account.”
This comes after a UN-backed report increased the hunger levels in Gaza to Phase Five – the most severe level of famine.
The report says over half a million people in Gaza are suffering from ”catastrophic” conditions, including “starvation, destitution and death”.
Israel is continuing to block humanitarian aid into Gaza whilst describing the famine report as “Hamas lies”.
O’Hara wrote in the letter that the Government’s inaction against Israel will set a precedent that “starvation, occupation and ethnic cleansing are acceptable actions for your allies to take.”
O’Hara’s letter in full states:
“Dear Prime Minister,
“Given your continued refusal to recall the Westminster parliament, I am writing to demand immediate action be taken regarding the genocide in Gaza.
“In the last six weeks, the intensity with which the Israeli government has moved to forcibly displace Palestinians and permanently occupy Gaza has reached new extremes.
“With the current rate of UK Government and international inertia, the genocide in Gaza will only end with the complete destruction of Palestine allowing a precedent to be set that starvation, occupation and ethnic cleansing are acceptable actions for your allies to take.
“Enough is enough.
“Israel has been blatantly killing, targeting and starving civilians, including children, for nearly two years. The death toll has now far surpassed 60,000. “300 people, including 122 children, have been killed because Israel is intentionally starving the entire population.
“Now Israel talks of permanently occupying Gaza, in a dystopian announcement which seeks to absolve them of the responsibility for the last two years of siege and genocide.
“I write to you today to demand that the following action be taken immediately.
“1. Impose a complete arms embargo on Israel.
“2. Immediately recognise a Palestinian state.
“3. Formally join the prevention of genocide case at the ICJ brought by South Africa, Ireland, Spain and others.
“4. Issue a public notice to UK citizens serving in the IDF in Israel that they risk of prosecution for war crimes if they return to the UK.
“5. Initiate an operation with allies to send naval vessels to deliver aid, breaking the siege in Gaza.
“6. Impose economic sanctions on the state of Israel.
“7. Commit to enforcing the international arrest warrants against Benjamin Netanyahu and members of his Cabinet.
“Failure to do so is a breach of your legal obligations as per the ICJ Advisory Opinion of July 2024, ICJ Provisional Measures in the South Africa case, your obligations under the Genocide Convention and the Geneva Conventions.
“Your Labour Government cannot sit silent as a genocide unfolds in Gaza and I look forward to hearing from you.
“Yours Sincerely,
Brendan O’Hara MP, SNP Middle East Spokesperson.”
Featured image via HM Government.
