Starmer and the Labour government MUST support the ICJ ruling on Israel

The following article is an open letter from the Muslim Public Affairs Committee (MPACUK)

MPACUK call upon British prime minister Keir Starmer and the Labour Party to demonstrate a firm commitment to international law by adhering to the recent advisory opinion issued by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) regarding the legal consequences of Israel’s policies and practices in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem.

Israel: multiple breaches of international law

On 19 July 2024, the ICJ issued a significant advisory opinion in response to a request by the United Nations General Assembly. The court’s findings underscore the legal ramifications of Israel’s occupation of Palestine and its impacts on the human rights of the Palestinian people. The ICJ emphasised that Israel’s policies in these territories violate international law, including the Fourth Geneva Convention and various United Nations resolutions.

The court’s opinion highlights several critical points:

1. Illegality of Settlements: The establishment of Israeli settlements in the occupied territories is deemed a violation of international law. The ICJ reaffirms that these settlements have no legal validity and must be dismantled.

2. Human Rights Violations: The ongoing occupation has led to widespread violations of Palestinian human rights. These include restrictions on movement, access to resources and the destruction of property.

3. Israeli sovereignty over Palestinian occupied territories: Israel has no claim to sovereignty or to exercise power over any part of the occupied territories of Palestine. “Israel’s security concerns” cannot override the prohibition of acquiring territory by force.

4. Obligations of Other States: The advisory opinion calls on all states, including the United Kingdom, to ensure Israel’s compliance with international law and to refrain from recognising or assisting in maintaining the unlawful situation created by these policies. Furthermore, all states are under obligation not to recognise as legal, the situation arising from the unlawful presence of Israel in Palestine, and not to render aide or assistance in maintaining the situation.

5. Israel has the obligation to make reparations for the damage caused to all the natural or legal persons concerned in the occupied Palestinian territories.

Labour: uphold principles of justice and equality

Given these findings, we at MPACUK state, unequivocally, that it is imperative for the UK Government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Kier Starmer, to take concrete steps to become aligned with international legal standards. This includes:

• Immediate ceasefire: an immediate stop to all military action by Israel. Including the unlawful practice of mass arrests and arbitrary detention.
• Stop arming Israel: the British Government must stop issuing arms export licenses to Israel, as well as providing any military assistance to Israel.
• Opening of borders: allowing unfettered access of humanitarian aid to reach occupied Palestinian territories.
• Condemning Illegal Settlements: publicly denounce the expansion of settlements and order for their dismantlement.
• Supporting Palestinian Rights: promote the protection of Palestinian human rights through all channels available.
• Ensuring Compliance: implement robust measures to ensure that UK policies do not contribute to sustaining the unlawful status quo in the occupied territories.
• Uphold arrest warrants: the British Government must execute the arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court against prime minister Netanyahu and his defence chiefs.

We urge the prime minister and the Labour Party cabinet to uphold its principles of justice and equality by taking a decisive stance on this critical issue. Upholding international law is not only a moral obligation but also essential for the promotion of global peace and security.

Featured image via the Canary