The Britain-Palestine All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) Co-Chairs, Andy McDonald MP and Debbie Abrahams MP, have written to the Prime Minister Rt Hon. Sir Keir Starmer, calling for the UK Government to sanction those responsible for Israel's death penalty law, that will make hanging the default punishment for Palestinians, and suspend the UK's trade agreement with Israel. In the letter, they echo the widespread condemnation of repeated Israeli breaches of international law from the international human rights community, "pointing to this as further evidence of the potential crime of apartheid by the Israeli state, as Palestinians in the occupied state are specifically singled out under this legislation."
In addition to what is written in the letter, already the situation for Palestinian detainees is appalling. At present there are 9,600 Palestinian prisoners being held in ever worsening conditions, around half of whom are held in administrative detention without trial. Israel has denied the ICRC access to Palestinian prisoners since October 2023.
It should also be stated that Israel has already been passing death penalties against Palestinians through the long-term practice of extra-judicial execution, yet again widely reported and condemned by human rights groups.
The letter can be read below. Caabu act as the Secretariat for the Britain-Palestine APPG.
Dear Prime Minister,
We are writing to express our horror at Israel’s parliament passing the first stage of legislation imposing the death penalty on Palestinians convicted of fatal attacks by military courts.
We welcome the government’s statement with France, Germany and Italy condemning this law and urging Israel to abandon these plans but believe that this requires more robust action from the Government.
As you will know, this law is discriminatory and follows other Israeli laws and military orders that discriminate against non-Jews in Israel and the occupied state of Palestine. Military courts in the occupied West Bank will also be empowered to hand down death sentences, with the defence minister able to submit an opinion. This legislation stipulates that the death penalty must be carried out within 90 days. It prevents any possibility of a pardon.
There has been widespread condemnation from the international human rights community of repeated breaches in international law by Israel, pointing to this as further evidence of the potential crime of apartheid by the Israeli state, as Palestinians in the occupied state are specifically singled out under this legislation.
The convictions of Palestinians in Israeli military courts are also not safe. According to its own figures there is a 99.74% conviction rate and a previous UK foreign office sponsored report highlighted considerable failings in these courts; UNICEF and other human rights groups have also raised similar concerns.
We understand that this Bill has yet to complete all stages through the Israeli Parliament and that military officials and ministries have said the bill could breach international law and expose Israeli personnel to arrest abroad.
We would be grateful for your assessment of the potential unlawfulness of this Bill should it be enacted, and, if it is unlawful, what sanctions the UK government will take against those who have introduced, promoted and who will implement this legislation?
Similarly, would you consider suspending the UK’s trade agreement with Israel ensuring that no Israeli products arrive in the UK under preferences?
We would be most grateful for a swift reply to this letter given the seriousness of this matter.
Yours sincerely,
Andy McDonald, MP for Middlesbrough & Thornaby East
Debbie Abrahams, MP for Oldham East & Saddleworth
Co-Chairs, Britain-Palestine APPG
