An independent tribunal in London has heard allegations that the UK government systematically failed its legal obligations to prevent potential genocide in Gaza while actively shielding Israel from accountability. The two-day proceedings, chaired by former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, collected testimony from 29 witnesses documenting Britain’s role in the ongoing conflict.
Evidence presented suggested the UK’s involvement extends beyond passive complicity to active participation. According to testimony, Royal Air Force pilots operating from Cyprus’s Akrotiri airbase provided real-time intelligence to Israeli forces while withholding similar information from international judicial bodies. The tribunal also heard that British authorities obstructed investigations into the death of aid worker James Henderson, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike on a clearly marked humanitarian vehicle.
Legal representatives revealed concerning patterns in the UK’s handling of arms export controls. One lawyer described a “circular reasoning” process where allegations of war crimes were routinely referred to Israeli authorities themselves, allowing perpetrators to avoid accountability. Despite documentation of thousands of airstrikes and significant civilian casualties, British officials had identified only one potential violation of international law—the incident involving the World Central Kitchen convoy.
The proceedings highlighted several instances where the UK allegedly undermined international accountability mechanisms. Witnesses stated Britain provided no support to the International Criminal Court’s chief prosecutor when US sanctions forced the closure of his British bank account. Additionally, the UK continued permitting imports from occupied territories despite an International Court of Justice ruling declaring the occupation unlawful.
A former diplomat who resigned over Britain’s arms sales policy testified that officials who raised concerns about Israeli military methods were pressured to soften their assessments. He revealed that crucial discussions about arms export policy were deliberately conducted in person to avoid creating a public record.
The tribunal aims to compile its findings into a comprehensive report that organizers plan to present to the Foreign Secretary, arguing the evidence demonstrates Britain’s systematic failure to fulfill its international legal responsibilities during the Gaza conflict.
