You report Keir Starmer as saying, “I have never described what is going on in Gaza as genocide, but I do agree that all sides should comply with international law” (UN should consider suspending Israel over ‘genocide’ against Palestinians, says special rapporteur, 31 October).
Yet the prime minister cannot pretend that these are opposites: the genocide convention is a central part of international law, and the UN special rapporteur Francesca Albanese is not alone in believing that Israel is breaking it in Gaza – many of my scholarly colleagues agree with the case that South Africa has brought to the international court of justice.
Given the “plausible risk” of genocide that the court has identified, the British government should be ceasing all arms sales to Israel, ending its extensive military and political support, and using its position on the UN security council to help force Israel to withdraw from Gaza. The government should be openly condemning Israel’s genocide, not denying it, as the foreign secretary, David Lammy, did in parliament last week. Unless it takes these steps, Starmer and the UK will be liable for complicity in genocide under the convention.
Martin Shaw
Author, What Is Genocide?
• Francesca Albanese, who said the UN should consider suspending Israel as a member state, is twice described as “divisive”. The effect of this word is to diminish her input and make her the problem when she palpably is not. In fact, it is Israel, by its actions, that is divisive. Widespread international failure to properly hold Israel to account for its appalling behaviour is also divisive. In the midst of this, Ms Albanese is just doing her job.
Roger Haydon
Ryton, Tyne and Wear
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