London, 20 November 2024 – The Palestinian Return Centre (PRC) has received a formal response from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) following its urgent appeal to the Rt Hon David Lammy MP, Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, calling for the immediate imposition of an arms embargo on Israel due to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

The PRC's letter, dated 28 October 2024, highlighted the catastrophic conditions in northern Gaza, where intensified violence, displacement, and severe shortages of essential supplies have resulted in a worsening humanitarian disaster. The PRC urged the UK Government to act decisively to uphold international humanitarian law and prevent complicity in violations of the Geneva Conventions and the Genocide Convention.

In its response, dated 12 November 2024, the FCDO outlined several measures taken in light of the escalating situation:

The PRC acknowledges the UK Government’s steps to suspend certain arms export licenses and increase humanitarian aid as positive initial measures but stresses that these actions are insufficient in the face of the severe humanitarian crisis. A comprehensive arms embargo on Israel is essential to halt the violence and ensure accountability for ongoing violations of international law. Without such decisive action, the cycle of displacement, suffering, and destruction in Gaza will continue unabated.

The PRC also calls on the UK to go beyond humanitarian relief and tackle the root causes of the crisis. Upholding international law and addressing systematic violations, such as settlement expansion and the siege on Gaza, are crucial to achieving justice and lasting peace.