UK Arabs demand apology from Lammy over genocide downplay remarks
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The signatories have expressed disappointment over the foreign secretary’s failure to recognize the scale of human rights violations in Gaza.
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Britain's Foreign Secretary David Lammy gestures while speaking about climate and environment policy at Kew Gardens in London, on September 17, 2024. (AP)
Dozens of prominent figures within the Arab-British community have signed an open letter to UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, demanding an apology for his remarks that they believe downplayed "Israel's" genocide in the Gaza Strip.
The letter, initiated by the Arab Assembly in Britain, follows Lammy’s comments made in the House of Commons.
In response to a Conservative MP's request to state that "there is not a genocide occurring in the Middle East," Lammy emphasized that such legal terms must be defined by international courts.
He stated, "I agree with the Hon. Gentleman that those terms were largely used when millions of people lost their lives… The way that people are now using those terms [genocide] undermines their seriousness."
MEMO’s Nasim Ahmed criticized Lammy for showing a "troubling lack of understanding" of the definition of genocide. Ahmed remarked, "The most obvious error… is the claim that the term genocide is used when 'millions' are killed," asserting that Lammy seems to be redefining genocide "for no purpose other than to shield Israel from criticism…."
Representatives from the Arab-British community expressed their “profound condemnation” of Lammy’s statement in Parliament. The signatories of the open letter stated, “He is denying that the events in Gaza amount to genocide,” despite the extensive destruction impacting civilians and civilian infrastructure.
The letter highlighted that Lammy’s statement not only trivializes the severity of the situation but also overlooks international law standards, which classify the systematic targeting and destruction of civilians and the obstruction of humanitarian aid as clear indicators of genocidal intent.
They noted that UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese has reported actions that meet the criteria for genocide. Additionally, many international organizations and states have repeatedly condemned "Israel" for actions that constitute genocide. In January, the International Court of Justice described "Israel's" actions as “plausible” genocide.
The signatories expressed disappointment over the foreign secretary’s failure to recognize the scale of human rights violations in Gaza, especially as civilian suffering reaches unprecedented levels. They asserted, "By ignoring these painful realities, Mr. Lammy’s statement contributes to whitewashing the magnitude of the ongoing atrocities and, intentionally or not, justifies violations of international human rights laws and conventions."
They called on David Lammy to retract his statement, recognize the true tragedy facing the Palestinian people as genocide, and support international efforts to hold "Israel" accountable.
“We also urge the UK government and global leaders to take a decisive stance in support of international law, justice and the protection of the Palestinian people at this critical time,” they stressed.
UN slams indiscriminate Israeli attacks: ‘Kids aren’t terrorists’
UN officials from the fact-finding mission investigating Israeli war crimes have strongly refuted the entity's justification for its ongoing genocide against Palestinians.
During a UN briefing on Wednesday, Miloon Kothari and Chris Sidoti from the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory condemned the Israeli framing of Palestinians, especially children, as "terrorists" to rationalize its indiscriminate attacks on Gaza.
"Kids aren't terrorists," Sidoti emphasized, criticizing the Israeli branding of the population. The officials highlighted that this rhetoric has been used to justify the killing of at least 13,319 Palestinian children since the onslaught on Gaza began in October last year, contributing to the over 43,000 Palestinian killings during the brutal military campaign.
Kothari called on the Israeli key allies to reconsider their military and political support, urging them to respect international law by distinguishing between "the occupier and the occupied."
In addition, Francesca Albanese, UN special rapporteur on human rights in the occupied Palestinian territory, called for immediate international efforts to prevent the "complete destruction" of Gaza.
"The developments on the ground are gruesome," she said.
"The genocidal violence that I have described in my first report has expanded and metastasized in other parts of the occupied Palestinian territory," the official stressed.
In her report to the UN Security Council on the situation in Gaza, Francesca Albanese concluded that "Israel" was committing genocide against the Palestinian territory. She also challenged "Israel's" legitimacy to hold a seat at the United Nations.
Albanese further criticized the United States, "Israel’s" largest supporter, accusing it of being an "enabler in what Israel has been doing," noting that the US has supplied "Israel" with billions of dollars in military aid since the war began.
In a related context, Albanese said, on Tuesday, that "Israel" is committing genocide in Gaza and seeking the “eradication of Palestinians” from their land.
"The genocide of the Palestinians appears to be the means to an end: the complete removal or eradication of Palestinians from the land so integral to their identity, and which is illegally and openly coveted by Israel," she said.
Albanese's statement came a day after the Israeli parliament passed legislation banning the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) from operating within Palestinian territories occupied by "Israel" in 1948 and the occupied eastern part of al-Quds, despite international objections.
