Sanctioning the government of Israel for the systematic torture and ill-treatment ofPalestinians in Israeli detention
-
Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP
Foreign Secretary
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
House of Commons
London
SW1A 0AA
30/06/2026
Dear Foreign Secretary,
Re. Sanctioning the government of Israel for the systematic torture and ill-treatment of
Palestinians in Israeli detention
We write to express our deep concern that the government has yet to sanction members of the Israeli
government for the systematic torture and ill-treatment of Palestinian detainees, including children, in
Israeli detention.
Responsibility for the systematic and well-documented torture of Palestinian civilians lies with the
government of Israel, including Prime Minister Netanyahu.
While the sanctions announced in June 2025 against ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich
remain welcome, they have done little to change the government of Israel’s approach to Palestinian
detainees. Since the sanctions were announced, the systematic torture of Palestinians, including
children, has escalated, with near total impunity. For example:
• In February 2026, a report by the UN Special Rapporteur found that “torture has become integral
to the domination of and punishment inflicted on [Palestinian] men, women and children, both
through custodial abuse and through a relentless campaign of forced displacement, mass killings,
deprivation and the destruction of all means of life”.
• On 12 March 2026, the Military Advocate dropped charges in a case involving the alleged rape of
a Palestinian detainee by Israeli soldiers, a decision praised by Prime Minister Netanyahu. The
rape was partially captured on CCTV footage.
• On 29 April and 18-19 May 2026, Israeli naval forces violently intercepted Global Sumud Flotilla
and Freedom Flotilla Coalition vessels in international waters, subsequently detaining members of
the flotilla and subjecting them to ill-treatment, including beatings. British nationals allege they were
beaten, with one shot in the leg. Footage of some of the degrading treatment flotilla members were
subjected to was published by Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.
The above is illustrative of the impunity with which the government of Israel is able to treat civilians. We
urge you to take further steps to help end this impunity by sanctioning the government of Israel’s
Minister of Justice, Yariv Levin and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Yours sincerely,
Neil Duncan-Jordan MP
Neil Duncan-Jordan MP
Member of Parliament for Poole
House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA
Tel: 01202 160740
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.neilforpoole.co.uk
MPs
Shockat Adam MP Tahir Ali MP Paula Barker MP
Lorraine Beavers MP Órfhlaith Begley MP Apsana Begum MP
Siân Berry MP Olivia Blake MP Richard Burgon MP
Ian Byrne MP Ellie Chowns MP Jeremy Corbyn MP
Pat Cullen MP Ann Davies MP Carla Denyer MP
Colum Eastwood MP Cat Eccles MP John Finucane MP
Mary Foy MP Andrew George MP Claire Hanna MP
Chris Hazzard MP Chris Hinchliff MP Dáire Hughes MP
Imran Hussain MP Adnan Hussain MP Kim Johnson MP
Ayoub Khan MP Afzal Khan MP Ben Lake MP
Ian Lavery MP Brian Leishman MP Clive Lewis MP
Rebecca Long-Bailey MP Cathal Mallaghan MP Rachael Maskell MP
Paul Maskey MP Andy McDonald MP John McDonnell MP
Llinos Medi MP Iqbal Mohamed MP Abtisam Mohamed MP
Grahame Morris MP Brendan O’Hara MP Simon Opher MP
Kate Osamor MP Kate Osborne MP Manuela Perteghella MP
Yasmin Qureshi MP Adrian Ramsay MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP
Liz Saville Roberts MP Hannah Spencer MP Zarah Sultana MP
Desmond Swayne MP Jon Trickett MP Nadia Whittome MP
Steve Witherden MP Mary Glindon MP Alex Sobel MP
Peers
Baroness Bennett of Manor
Castle
Baroness Blower Lord Cashman CBE
Lord Davies of Brixton Lord Hendy KC Baroness Jones of
Moulsecoomb
Baroness Lister of Burtersett
CBE
Lord Sikka Lord Singh of Wimbledon CBE
Baroness Uddin Baroness Warsi Baroness Janke
Baroness Sheehan Lord Mohammed of Tinsley
