Action Alert: Write to your MP to Recognise the State of Palestine and Suspend Arms Sales to Israel
Friday December 13 2024
On 16 December 2024, MPs will debate two critical petitions relating to Palestine-Israel. These petitions highlight important issues of human rights and the UK’s role in the ongoing conflict in the region.
The first petition, with over 283,000 signatures, calls on the UK Government to immediately recognise the state of Palestine, in line with its longstanding support for a two-state solution.This recognition would signal the UK’s commitment to international law and the fair resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The second petition, with over 107,000 signatures, calls for the immediate suspension of arms sales to Israel. It argues that the UK is complicit in arming Israel, a country many believe is committing war crimes, particularly in Gaza.
While the UK Government has stated that “Israel must comply with International Humanitarian Law,” the UK Government’s own legal advisors have consistently highlighted Israel’s violations of international law. Moreover, by allowing the US to use Britain’s air base in Cyprus, the UK plays a direct role in facilitating US arms shipments to Israel and in supporting reconnaissance missions over Gaza.
We call on you to write to your MP encouraging them to support the Palestinian right to statehood and call for an immediate suspension of arms sales to Israel.
ACT NOW by following this step-by-step guide on how to write to your MP:
Step 1: Scroll below to the box for inputting your postcode
Step 2: Enter your postcode and click “find”
Step 3: Click the ‘send a message’ option found next to your local MP’s photograph
Step 4: Copy and paste the body of the template email in to your email. (IMPORTANT: EDIT THE EMAIL INTO YOUR OWN WORDS, MPS EMAIL SYSTEMS TEND TO DELETE IDENTICAL COPIES)
Step 5: Fill in the remaining information in the ‘About You’ section
Step 6: Hit “Preview and send”
“Dear [enter MP’s name]
On 16 December 2024 two important petitions will be debated in Parliament relating to Palestine and Israel. The first petition calls on the UK Government to immediately recognise the state of Palestine, in line with its support for a two-state solution. This is a crucial step in affirming the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and could help pave the way for peace in the region.
The second petition calls for an immediate suspension of arms sales to Israel. The UK’s role in arming Israel, which many consider to be committing war crimes in Gaza, makes the UK complicit in these violations. Despite the Government’s statement that Israel must comply with International Humanitarian Law, international human rights bodies have consistently pointed to Israel’s breaches of international law. Furthermore, the UK plays a direct role in facilitating US arms shipments to Israel and in supporting reconnaissance missions over Gaza by allowing Israeli forces to use British air bases in Cyprus. This involvement makes the UK complicit in Israel's military actions necessitates a reassessment of the UK’s involvement in light of the ongoing human rights abuses.
I urge you to support both petitions so that the UK can take a clear stand for justice, uphold international law, and demonstrate a commitment to peace and human rights. I look forward to your response and hope that you too will stand up for justice and speak out against these violations.
Yours sincerely
[Enter your name]
”