Benedict Cumberbatch, Annie Lennox, Gary Lineker and Dua Lipa have joined greater than 300 public figures calling on the prime minister to “end the UK’s complicity” in Gaza.
They’ve accused the British authorities of continuous to permit UK arms to be offered to Israel and to offering licences for arms.
The letter, led by refugee charity Select Love, calls for a right away suspension of all UK arms gross sales to Israel, fast humanitarian entry for skilled help companies, and urges the federal government to decide to brokering a ceasefire for “the children of Gaza”.
In September 2024, the UK suspended 30 arms licences from about 350 concerned in gadgets that go to Israel.
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British actor Benedict Cumberbatch has signed the letter. Pic: Reuters
Final week, Sir Keir joined the French and Canadian leaders to warn Israel they’ll take “concrete actions” if it continues an “egregious” growth of navy operations in Gaza.
The PM additionally informed MPs final week the extent of struggling in Gaza, particularly amongst harmless youngsters, was “intolerable” and referred to as Israel’s choice to permit a small quantity of help in “utterly inadequate”.
The letter says: “We urge you to take immediate action to end the UK’s complicity in the horrors in Gaza.”
It says youngsters in Gaza are ravenous whereas meals and drugs “sit just minutes away” in reference to Israel’s 11-week blockade of meals and different provides into Gaza, which was lifted final week.
A brand new basis backed by Israel and the US has arrange an help distribution web site this week, however the UN has rejected the system because it says it can’t meet the wants of Gaza’s 2.1 million folks.
The UN, which has warned the inhabitants is going through catastrophic ranges of starvation, stated it believes 47 folks had been injured on Tuesday when crowds overwhelmed the help distribution centre, however Israel stated its troops solely fired “warning shots” into the air.
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A truck carrying help from the brand new basis arrives on the Kerem Shalom crossing between Israel and Gaza. Pic: Reuters
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Palestinians with meals and humanitarian help packages they acquired from the Gaza Humanitarian Basis, a U.S.-backed group authorised by Israel, in Rafah. Pic: AP
Among the many well-known folks to place their names to the letter are singers Dua Lipa, Annie Lennox, Paloma Religion, Large Assault and Primal Scream.
Actors embrace Benedict Cumberbatch, Riz Ahmed, Sport of Thrones actress Lena Headey, Tilda Swinton, Maxine Peake, Marvel actress Zawe Ashton, Bridgerton actress Nicola Coughlan, and director Danny Boyle.
TV stars embrace Dermot O’Leary, Gary Lineker, Rooster Store Date creator Amelia Dimoldenberg, and presenter Laura Whitmore.
Lineker completed his 26-year stint as Match of the Day presenter this week, after apologising for sharing a social media publish from the Palestine Foyer group titled: “Zionism explained in two minutes.”
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Gary Lineker has signed the letter
The Instagram publish was illustrated with a rat, which has been used to characterize Jewish folks in antisemitic propaganda – together with Nazi Germany.
Lineker “apologised unreservedly” for sharing it, saying he was unaware of the reference and it was a mistake. He maintained the significance of “speaking out on humanitarian issues, including the tragedy unfolding in Gaza”.
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Photographer and activist Misan Harriman, author, mannequin and activist Munroe Bergdorf, artist Tracey Emin and mannequin Lily Cole have additionally signed the letter.
Holocaust survivor Stephen Kapos has signed the letter, which says 71,000 youngsters beneath 4 years outdated are “acutely malnourished” they usually “cry until they can’t cry anymore – until hunger takes even their voices”.
It says they get up to bombs falling on them, “violence stamped with UK inaction – flown with parts shipped from British factories to Israel”.
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Netanyahu hits out at Starmer, Macron and Carney
The letter warns Sir Keir: “You can’t call it ‘intolerable’, yet do nothing.
“The world is watching and historical past is not going to overlook. The youngsters of Gaza can’t wait one other minute.
“Prime minister, what will you choose? Complicity in war crimes, or the courage to act?”
The letter comes simply days after 828 UK-based or certified authorized consultants, amongst them former Supreme Court docket justices, signed a letter to Sir Keir warning “genocide is being perpetrated in Gaza”.
Israel has repeatedly denied that it’s committing genocide in Gaza.
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A authorities spokesperson stated: “We strongly oppose the expansion of military operations in Gaza and call on the Israeli Government to cease its offensive and immediately allow for unfettered access to humanitarian aid.
“The denial of important humanitarian help to the civilian inhabitants in Gaza is unacceptable and dangers breaching Worldwide Humanitarian Regulation.
“Last year, we suspended export licences to Israel for items used in military operations in Gaza and continue to refuse licences for military goods that could be used by Israel in the current conflict.
“We urge all events to urgently agree a ceasefire settlement and work in the direction of a everlasting and sustainable peace.”
