The UK government has concluded that Israel is not committing genocide in Gaza but “must do much more” to prevent and alleviate the suffering.
Britain’s position was clarified by David Lammy, as foreign secretary until a few days ago, in response to questions from the chair of the International Development Committee, Sarah Champion.
In a letter, dated 1 September, he wrote that “the crime of genocide occurs only where there is specific ‘intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial or religious group.’
“The government has not concluded that Israel is acting with that intent.”
Previously, the government’s position had been that it was for an international court to decide if Israel was committing genocide.
Israel has strongly denied that its actions in Gaza amount to genocide, but is being challenged on the issue in a case at the International Court of Justice in The Hague.
The world’s leading association of genocide scholars, as well as several Israeli human rights organisations, have already accused the country of genocide.
Mr Lammy, who was replaced by Yvette Cooper as foreign secretary during Sir Keir Starmer’s recent reshuffle, also criticised the “catastrophic humanitarian situation” in the region.
Lammy: Destruction is ‘utterly appalling’
“The high civilian casualties, including women and children, and the extensive destruction in Gaza, are utterly appalling,” he wrote.
“Israel must do much more to prevent and alleviate the suffering that this conflict is causing.”
Israel struck and destroyed another high-rise building in Gaza City on Monday after warning residents to evacuate.
The military said it was targeting Hamas observation posts and bombs placed around the 12-story office building, though has not provided evidence for this claim.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has told…
