UK artists urge Starmer to cease arms sales to 'Israel' if elected PM
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Celebrities, including Steve Coogan and Paloma Faith, call on Keir Starmer to champion human rights and international law.
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UK actor and comedian Steve Coogan (AP)
Celebrities such as Steve Coogan, Miriam Margolyes, and Juliet Stevenson, along with musicians, writers, and directors, are urging Keir Starmer to cease arms sales to "Israel" if he becomes prime minister.
In further detail, over 100 individuals, including Paloma Faith, Mike Leigh, and Michael Rosen, have signed a collective letter organized by Artists for Palestine UK, calling on the Labour leader to take a stand against the ongoing Israeli atrocities in Gaza.
Additional prominent endorsers comprise actors like Dame Harriet Walter, Lena Headey, Riz Ahmed, and Maxine Peake.
The appeal follows Benjamin Netanyahu's recent restatement that "Hamas must be completely destroyed before Israel will agree to end its war in Gaza."
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The letter urged Starmer, a former human rights lawyer, to demonstrate the UK's dedication to human rights and international law by ceasing arms sales to "Israel" should he become prime minister. This amplifies existing pressure on the Labour leader from London Mayor Sadiq Khan, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, and over 50 Labour MPs, who have called for an end to UK weapon supplies to "Israel". According to the letter, over 35,000 Palestinians have been killed by "Israel" since the war commenced on October 7.
“As a former human rights lawyer, you have a unique opportunity to bring about meaningful change by ending UK complicity in war crimes in Gaza,” the letter read. “The UK must no longer remain complicit in the genocide of the Palestinian people.”
The joint letter added, “Continuing to sell arms to a country whose leader is accused of such grave violations of international law is morally reprehensible.”
It is worth noting that Netanyahu and Israeli Security Minister Yoav Gallant are the subject of arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
A Labour spokesperson said, "Labour has repeatedly called on the government to publish at least a summary of the legal advice around arms sales, given our serious concerns over the horrifying scenes in Gaza."
“We have been clear that the government must uphold both our domestic and international legal obligations when it comes to arms exports," they added, concluding, “If Labour wins the election, we will assess the most up-to-date legal advice and we will act on what it says."
