On March 20, 2025, in the House of Commons, Foreign Secretary David Lammy responded to criticism from Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s office regarding his remarks on Israel’s actions in Gaza. Lammy, after being rebuked for previously stating that Israel’s blockade of humanitarian aid into Gaza could be a breach of international law, clarified his stance.
“This is appalling and unacceptable,” he said. “Ultimately, of course, these are matters for the courts, not Governments, to determine, but it is difficult to see how denying humanitarian assistance to a civilian population can be compatible with international humanitarian law.” However, the broader issue remains: the UK’s approach to Israel’s actions in Gaza has consistently been marked by weak language and inaction.
The tragedy unfolding in Gaza—where over 400 Palestinians, including women and children, have been killed since mid-March, with hundreds more injured—deserves more than mere “concern” from world leaders. Yet when The Muslim News pressed to condemn Israel for the killings, the Prime Minister’s spokesperson, reflecting the government’s response, merely repeated, “We are deeply concerned about this resumption of military action,” without condemning Israel’s actions outright. This ambivalence, this failure to call things by their name, raises questions about the UK’s position on international law and human rights.
When it comes to Israel’s ongoing military operations in Gaza, the British government seems hesitant to take a clear stand. This includes a refusal to consider sanctions against Israel, despite the fact that the UK has imposed heavy sanctions on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine. Why? Simply put, Palestinian lives appear to matter less to this government than those of Ukrainians. The UK’s moral calculus seems to hinge on geography—Ukrainians are European, and their plight fits within a framework of global outrage, while Palestinians remain sidelined in this narrative of injustice. This, despite the undeniable similarities in the suffering of civilians in both conflicts.
As Lammy reminded the House, he has repeatedly stated that Israel’s actions in Gaza risk breaching international humanitarian law. Yet, the UK government has not taken any action to hold Israel accountable. Lammy made it clear that neither he nor the Prime Minister has the authority to pronounce on the legality of Israel’s actions, claiming that this should be left to the courts. But this argument rings hollow when applied selectively—especially considering how swiftly the UK government condemned Russia’s actions in Ukraine. In March 2022, Starmer declared, “Russian aggression in Ukraine is undoubtedly in breach of international law.” However, when it comes to Israel’s actions in Gaza, this same urgency is conspicuously absent. The UK’s selective engagement with international law and its inconsistent application creates a clear double standard.
Meanwhile, Israel’s actions have been nothing short of devastating. In the initial stages of the recent bombardment on March 17, Israel killed 436 Palestinians, most of whom were women and children, and injured over 678 others. In a chilling display of force, Israel dropped leaflets over Gaza warning of further extermination. Such indiscriminate bombing, which disproportionately affects civilians, cannot be excused as a legitimate act of self-defense, and it is difficult to reconcile this with any interpretation of international law that condemns targeting civilians.
The UK is not without complicity in this crisis. As one of Israel’s closest allies, the UK has provided military assistance in various forms. From supplying parts for Israeli F-16 fighter jets, which have been used to bomb civilian areas, to conducting RAF surveillance flights over Gaza, Britain has played a role in supporting Israel’s military operations. Though UK officials insist these flights are solely for hostage rescue, the scale of military cooperation raises serious concerns about the UK’s indirect support for actions that violate international humanitarian law.
Furthermore, the United States, another key ally of Israel, continues to supply arms that enable Israel’s military action in Gaza. The UK’s role in this supply chain, including its facilitation of heavy cargo flights from Cyprus to Israel, is equally troubling. If the UK truly stands by international humanitarian law, how can it justify such ongoing military collaboration?
Prime Minister Starmer’s refusal to condemn Israeli actions, while offering vague expressions of concern, only strengthens the impression that the UK is willing to turn a blind eye to the suffering of Palestinians. The hypocrisy of this stance becomes even clearer when we contrast the UK’s reaction to the situation in Gaza with its robust condemnation of Russian aggression in Ukraine.
The government’s refusal to take a stand against Israel is not only morally indefensible, but it is also politically dangerous. By maintaining a policy of passive support for Israel’s military operations, the UK is complicit in the killing of civilians, the destruction of homes, and the perpetuation of a humanitarian catastrophe. The Prime Minister must move beyond mere expressions of concern and take concrete action to hold Israel accountable for its violations of international law.
The UK’s refusal to condemn Israel’s breaches of international law, or to consider sanctions, reflects a fundamental contradiction in its foreign policy. The lives of Palestinians should matter just as much as those of Ukrainians. The UK must stop hiding behind legal technicalities and recognize that it is complicit in the suffering of innocent civilians. For too long, the international community has looked away while Israel continues its operations in Gaza. Now is the time for the UK to take a stand, to uphold the principles of justice and human rights, and to act in a way that reflects its commitments to international law.
Photo: Foreign Secretary David Lammy responded to criticism from Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s office regarding his remarks on Israel’s actions in Gaza (Photo credit: Ben Dance/FCO Flickr)
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