UK Gov response to Israel ‘gravely inadequate’ say 15 human rights groups

30 May 2025. Sabeel-Kairos joined other UK organisations in a letter to the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary calling the response to the Israeli authorities’ blockade of humanitarian aid, its continued attacks on Gaza, and the expansion of settlements in the occupied West Bank gravely inadequate.

In the letter the organisations also urged the UK Government to take three immediate actions to save lives and prevent further atrocities:

1. 1. Suspend all arms transfers to Israel

   While the government has suspended some arms licenses to Israel which it says could be used in Gaza, the vast majority remain in place. The government has also refused to stop licensing the export of spare parts that could end up in Israeli F-35 fighter jets, even though the government has conceded that there is a clear risk of them being used in breaches of international humanitarian law. This is inconsistent with the UK’s domestic and international legal obligations.

2. 2. Suspend the UK-Israel Trade and Partnership Agreement (TPA)

   The text of the UK-Israel TPA, which currently provides privileged trade terms between the countries, identifies “respect for human rights and democratic principles” as an “essential element” of the agreement. Given Israel’s well-documented violations of international law, including but not limited to the ongoing aid blockade, and the Israeli authorities’ consistent targeting of civilians, health care, food and water infrastructure – and which you mentioned in your address – it is impossible to see how the foundations of this agreement can still hold. We note that on 21 May, the European Union, whose agreement with Israel contains an identical human right clause, announced it would review its own trade agreement with Israel on this basis. The UK must immediately suspend its trade deal with Israel conditional on Israel’s full compliance with international law. If a review process is necessary to take this action, this should also begin urgently and be completed imminently.

   3. Ban trade with and investment in Israel’s illegal settlements

   While the government’s position is not to ‘encourage’ trade with or investment in Israel’s illegal settlements on the West Bank, it has so far refused to ban such economic relations, even as they help to sustain Israel’s settlement economy and entrench the forcible transfer of Palestinians from their homes. The International Court of Justice made clear in its July 2024 advisory opinion that all countries must not enter into “economic or trade dealings with Israel concerning the Occupied Palestinian Territory or parts thereof which may entrench its unlawful presence in the territory” and ensure they do not aid and assist Israel’s illegal occupation. Not only would banning trade with and investment in Israel’s illegal settlements be a necessary first step to bring the UK’s trade relations in line with international law, it would also send a clear message that any ongoing or future violations of international law by Israel will be met with meaningful consequences.