Date: January 22, 2024
The Rt Hon Rishi Sunak MP
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
10 Downing Street
London, SW1A 2AA
Subject: Immediate Suspension of Arms Exports to Israel and Facilitation of Humanitarian Aid Access to Gaza
Dear Prime Minister Sunak,
On behalf of The Orient House and our collective of community representatives, we write to you with a profound sense of urgency and moral responsibility, as the situation in Gaza continues to escalate into what many have rightly termed a genocide. To date, over 10500 Palestinians, including a heartbreaking number of children, have lost their lives due to indiscriminate bombings and sustained military actions by Israeli forces. These attacks have devastated communities, obliterated essential infrastructure, and left the people of Gaza in a humanitarian catastrophe.
In light of these atrocities, we formally call on your government to implement the following actions without delay:
1. Immediate Suspension of All Arms Exports to IsraelContinued arms shipments to Israel, at a time when these weapons are being used in documented violations of international humanitarian law, directly implicates the UK in the suffering of innocent civilians. The United Kingdom must adhere to its commitments under international law by suspending all arms exports that facilitate these ongoing atrocities.
2. Facilitation of Immediate Humanitarian Aid Access to Gaza
Beyond halting arms exports, it is essential to ensure unimpeded access for humanitarian aid into Gaza. Basic necessities, including food, clean water, medical supplies, and essential services, have been severely restricted, leaving a population already under siege to endure further deprivation. We call on the UK to work through diplomatic channels and multilateral organizations to establish and protect secure pathways for humanitarian assistance.
3. Deployment of Mobile Medical Facilities and Clinics
The overwhelming number of injuries and the destruction of Gaza’s medical infrastructure make it imperative to facilitate the entry of mobile medical units and clinics. These facilities would provide emergency medical care to those injured and relieve pressure on the remaining healthcare resources. The UK’s leadership and support in this initiative would not only demonstrate its commitment to humanitarian values but also deliver critical relief to those in desperate need.
Prime Minister, this crisis calls for decisive, principled action. The devastation in Gaza is not only a regional tragedy but a test of the UK’s commitment to upholding human rights and justice on the world stage. We ask that you take immediate and concrete steps to address these urgent demands. By halting arms exports and prioritizing humanitarian access, the United Kingdom can lead a path towards accountability and relief for those suffering in Gaza.
We trust that you will give this appeal the gravity it deserves and look forward to a response that upholds the principles of justice, human dignity, and the rule of law.
Respectfully,
The Orient House