Zack Polanski joins Jeremy Corbyn in backing calls for scrutiny of Britons who served in Israeli military
“Nobody wants to live next to a potential war criminal – not least members of the Palestinian community in the UK who have family or friends who have been subjected to war crimes.”
The Green Party leader Zack Polanski has joined Jeremy Corbyn in calls for the UK government to investigate British citizens who have served in the Israeli military.
Both are among almost 24,000 signatories of an open letter urging the government to monitor and investigate British-Israeli dual nationals who have served in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and may be linked to potential war crimes in Gaza.
The letter, organised by Declassified UK and the International Centre of Justice for Palestinians (ICJP), is addressed to home secretary Shabana Mahmood and foreign secretary Yvette Cooper.
Named Nobody Wants to Live Next Door to a War Criminal, the letter argues that the public interest is best served by monitoring British citizens who have served in the IDF and investigating any potential involvement in violations of international law.
The signatories call on the government to introduce disclosure requirements for military service in the Israeli armed forces, implement additional screening measures at UK ports of entry where appropriate, and conduct independent investigations into allegations of war crimes. They argue that such measures are necessary to uphold domestic and international legal obligations, ensure accountability for serious crimes, and prevent future abuses.
The letter cites previous research by Declassified UK claiming that more than 2,000 Britons have served with Israeli forces since October 2023. According to the signatories, the fact that this information did not emerge through official UK channels raises “serious transparency concerns.”
It adds: “Individuals who have returned from fighting in Gaza may now be living alongside us and working in public institutions such as hospitals, the police, and schools.
“Nobody wants to live next to a potential war criminal – not least members of the Palestinian community in the UK who have family or friends who have been subjected to war crimes.”
The appeal comes amid mounting international scrutiny of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.
Since the Hamas attack on 7 October 2023 which killed 1,200 people, Israeli forces have killed nearly 73,000 Palestinians and injured 170,000 more. Thousands in Gaza remain missing and are presumed dead beneath the rubble. In May, Israeli forces killed 119 Palestinians, which, according to the Palestinian health ministry, is the highest monthly death toll since November.
In April London’s Metropolitan Police announced it would not investigate 10 British nationals accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity while fighting with the Israeli military in Gaza.
Other signatories of the letter include MPs Diane Abbott, Zarah Sultana and John McDonnell, as well as campaign groups International Centre of Justice for Palestinians and CAGE International.
Polanski’s support for the letter has drawn criticism from Conservative politicians. Speaking to the Telegraph, Conservative MP Kevin Hollinrake said: “At a time when anti-Semitism is on the rise, Zack Polanski should not be stoking further division and hostility in our society.”
Responding to the criticism, a spokesperson for Polanski said: “The IDF has been credibly accused of horrific war crimes in Gaza by bodies including the UN Human Rights Council, Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, and the UK government should be taking robust action against any British citizen complicit in these crimes.”
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