Call for the UK Government to impose sanctions on Israel following the International Court of Justice’s Landmark Advisory Opinion
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Dear Foreign Secretary,
Re: Call for the UK Government to impose sanctions on Israel following the International Court of Justice’s Landmark Advisory Opinion
We write to urge the UK government to impose sanctions and take other concrete steps to give effect to the landmark Opinion issued by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Israel’s continuing illegal presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT).
Findings of the International Court of Justice
The ICJ, the world’s top court, found on 19 July 2024 that Israel’s continued presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, is unlawful. It also found that Israel is under an obligation to bring to an end its unlawful presence in the OPT as rapidly as possible and to immediately cease all new settlement activities, amongst numerous other obligations.
The Court also found that all States, including the UK, have obligations to not recognise as legal the situation arising from the unlawful presence of Israel in the OPT and to not render any aid or assistance in maintaining this.
Further, amongst the numerous other obligations cited by the ICJ, all State Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention have an obligation to ensure compliance by Israel with international humanitarian law as embodied in that Convention.
Obligations on the UK government
Flowing from these, the ICJ found that the UK and all states must take concrete actions including: taking steps to prevent trade or investment relations that assist in the maintenance of the illegal situation created by Israel in the OPT; abstaining from entering into economic or trade dealings with Israel concerning the OPT which may entrench its unlawful presence there; and abstaining from entering into any treaty relations with Israel in all cases in which it purports to act on behalf of the OPT.
It has now been four months since this landmark ICJ ruling. Since then the situation continues to worsen including with Israel’s intensified attacks on civilians and clear violations of international law occurring in Gaza.
The UK Government has acknowledged the central findings of the ICJ’s Advisory Opinion and stated that Israel should bring an end to its presence in the OPT as rapidly as possible. However, the UK Government is yet to clarify how it intends to respond to this new legal situation and uphold its responsibilities arising from it.
In contrast, the UN General Assembly in September passed a resolution endorsing the ICJ’s opinion and calling on states to comply with their responsibility under international law to enact concrete steps including sanctions to address the ongoing situation.
Sanctions on Israel and other actions
In line with the ICJ’s Advisory Opinion and the obligations on all States, the UK Government should immediately:
Impose travel bans and asset freezes against all individuals and entities involved in maintaining Israel’s unlawful presence in the OPT.
Ban trade with illegal settlements - in so doing, the UK should also support and utilise the UN database of businesses involved in the OPT.
Suspend arms transfers to Israel including licenses for the export of F-35 components that go indirectly to Israel as well as any other equipment that might be used to carry out serious violations of international humanitarian law and/or are used to entrench Israel’s unlawful presence in the OPT.
Revoke the 2030 Roadmap, which seeks to deepen UK-Israeli economic, trade and security ties.
The Government should also undertake a comprehensive and thorough review of all of its current and pending trade relations, including the UK-Israel trade agreement, and its security, military, and diplomatic relations with Israel. This would be to ensure that it does not - directly or indirectly - entrench Israel’s unlawful presence in the OPT or otherwise provide aid or assistance in maintaining the unlawful situation created by the continued presence of Israel in the OPT or any of the other violations committed by Israel in the OPT.
The UK Government has repeatedly stated that it is committed to international law. Acting in support of the ICJ Advisory Opinion would be a critical step in demonstrating that commitment. It would also show that the UK Government is striving to do all it can to support the victims of Israel’s repeated violations of international law, and that it is not only speaking about a peaceful and negotiated two-state solution but taking concrete steps to promote this.
