MEND Action Alert: Call on Your MP to Oppose Arms Sales to Israel
Thursday December 07 2023
On December 6, 2023, the Palestinian human rights organisation Al-Haq and the UK-based Global Action Legal Network (GLAN) launched a legal challenge against the UK Goverment via the High Court, aiming to suspend the reprehensible arms sales to Israel, raising critical questions about our nation’s complicity in grave human rights violations.
According to existing UK arms exporting criteria, arms exporting should not be licenced if there is a “clear risk” that a weapon may be used in a serious violation of International Humanitarian Law (IHL). There is an overwhelming and indisputable body of evidence demonstrating Israel’s persistent disregard for IHL in its ruthless actions against the Palestinians. The ongoing massacre, resulting in the killing of almost 16,000 Palestinians, is nothing short of genocide.
As such, we urge the community to act by writing to your MP’s and calling on them to vehemently oppose the Government’s complicity in genocide by calling for a resolute ban on the export of arms to Israel as it relentlessly perpetrates war crimes against the Palestinians.
Please follow the simple three step guide below to act now:
Step 1 – Find your MP and their contact details here: https://www.theyworkforyou.com/
Step 2 – Copy and paste or edit the following template letter for sending, remember to include your address/contact number in the email or letter:
Subject: Urgent Appeal to Halt Arms Exports to Israel
Dear [insert MP’s name/appropriate title],
I am writing to you as a concerned constituent deeply troubled by the continued appalling violations of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) by the State of Israel in its actions against the Palestinian people. I am compelled to bring to your attention the pressing need for the UK to reassess its arms export policies, particularly concerning Israel.
As you are well aware, the existing UK arms exporting criteria explicitly state that licences should not be granted if there is a “clear risk” that the weapons may be used in a serious violation of IHL. Over the past several years, there has been mounting and irrefutable evidence of Israel consistently violating IHL in its dealings with the Palestinians. The most recent tragic events have further underscored the urgent need for action.
The loss of almost 16,000 Palestinian lives in what can only be described as a massacre raises the gravest concerns and compels us to question the ethics of our arms exports. The term “genocide” is not used lightly, but in this context, it becomes increasingly difficult to ignore the systematic and widespread nature of the violence perpetrated against the Palestinian people. The international community, including the UK, must not turn a blind eye to the unfolding human tragedy.
I kindly request that you use your influence and voice within Parliament to advocate for an immediate review of our arms export policies in relation to Israel. The people you represent look to you as their representative to champion justice and human rights on the global stage.
Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter. I trust that you will act with the utmost diligence and urgency in addressing the ongoing human rights violations in the region.
Yours sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
Step 3 – (Optional) – To really supplement your email/letter, take a few minutes to call your MP’s office. Clearly articulate your distress over the ongoing human rights violations against the Palestinians and emphasise the urgency of stopping arms sales to Israel. Your voice can be a powerful force for change.
“Subject: Urgent Appeal to Halt Arms Exports to Israel
Dear [insert MP’s name/appropriate title],
I am writing to you as a concerned constituent deeply troubled by the continued appalling violations of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) by the State of Israel in its actions against the Palestinian people. I am compelled to bring to your attention the pressing need for the UK to reassess its arms export policies, particularly concerning Israel.
As you are well aware, the existing UK arms exporting criteria explicitly state that licences should not be granted if there is a "clear risk" that the weapons may be used in a serious violation of IHL. Over the past several years, there has been mounting and irrefutable evidence of Israel consistently violating IHL in its dealings with the Palestinians. The most recent tragic events have further underscored the urgent need for action.
The loss of almost 16,000 Palestinian lives in what can only be described as a massacre raises the gravest concerns and compels us to question the ethics of our arms exports. The term "genocide" is not used lightly, but in this context, it becomes increasingly difficult to ignore the systematic and widespread nature of the violence perpetrated against the Palestinian people. The international community, including the UK, must not turn a blind eye to the unfolding human tragedy.
I kindly request that you use your influence and voice within Parliament to advocate for an immediate review of our arms export policies in relation to Israel. The people you represent look to you as their representative to champion justice and human rights on the global stage.
Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter. I trust that you will act with the utmost diligence and urgency in addressing the ongoing human rights violations in the region.
Yours sincerely,
[Your Full Name]”