Over 60,000 people sign petition calling for inquiry into UK’s role in Israel’s operations in Gaza
The petition was launched less than two weeks ago
A petition calling for the UK’s role in Israeli operations in Gaza has surpassed 60,000 signatures in just over a week.
The petition calls for an inquiry which specifically looks into the sale, supply or use of weapons that have been used in Gaza.
The petition reads: “We want the UK Government to launch an inquiry into any British involvement in Israeli operations in Gaza, including the sale, supply or use of weapons, surveillance aircraft and Royal Air Force bases. We believe the UK has played a vital role in Israeli military operations in Gaza.
“We call on the UK Government to launch a fully independent inquiry into the UK’s involvement since October 2023, which would have the power to question government ministers and officials involved in decision-making processes, particularly relating to: what arms have been supplied to Israel, what RAF bases have been used and why; what intelligence was collected during RAF flights; and what legal advice has the UK Government sought in assessing whether a genocide has taken place in Gaza.”
The petition was launched by Jennifer Forbes, the chair of Your Party on Friday 23 October. It comes after Andy Burnham’s government recently rejected Jeremy Corbyn’s call for a public inquiry in British complicity with Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza. The government said it was not necessary as parliament is able to hold the government to account.
Speaking about the petition, Corbyn said: “The British public deserves answers about Britain’s role in Israel’s assault on Gaza — from arms sales and RAF bases to surveillance flights and legal advice on genocide.
“Politicians work for the public, not the other way around. It is shameful that more than 50,000 people have had to mobilise simply to demand an independent inquiry into their own government’s actions.
“If the Government has nothing to hide, why is it running away from accountability?”
As the petition is hosted on the official parliamentary petition platform, if it receives 100,000 signatures it will be considered for a debate in the House of Commons. As it has received more than 10,000 it will receive a formal response from the government.
Chris Jarvis is head of strategy and development at Left Foot Forward
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