Prime Minister Keir Starmer has responded to a letter signed by over 400 public figures, including Malala Yousafzai, Riz Ahmed, Gemma Chan, Nicola Coughlan, Dame Judi Dench and more, demanding that the UK government end its complicity in the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
In his reply, Starmer acknowledged that the “level of suffering is intolerable” and described the aid blockade as “wholly intolerable.”
Signatories have since responded, reiterating that children in Gaza are dying from starvation and urgently need aid and support. They also point out UK-made components are used in F-35 fighter jets deployed in the region and more, raising serious concerns about indirect involvement.
Led by Choose Love CEO and Co-Founder Josie Naughton, they have since issued a follow-up letter calling for more immediate and concrete measures from the government. Read their statement below:
“Dear Prime Minister Starmer,
Thank you for your response to our letter and for acknowledging the scale of suffering in Gaza, which we have shared with our co-signatories as requested. Your reply, though welcome, does not meet the urgency or clarity this moment demands.
We need actions not words.
You tell us that you have made it clear to the Government of Israel that the level of human suffering in Gaza is intolerable, and yet the suffering continues. Prime Minister, you’ve built your career as a human rights lawyer, defending the powerless and challenging injustice.
In years to come, when you are asked whether you have done enough, what will you say?
In May you stated “if” Israel does not halt its offensive and lift restrictions on aid, the UK will take “decisive measures.” Far from halting, the Israeli government in fact intensified airstrikes and ground assaults and aid remains blocked. On 29 July, you stated the UK may recognise the State of Palestine in September as part of a peace process, unless the Israeli government takes substantive steps to end the appalling situation in Gaza. This is not enough. As set out in your manifesto, Palestinians have an inalienable right to statehood – that right should not be used as leverage. Children who could be saved today will not survive more weeks of starvation.
Over 1,000 people have been killed having been forced to risk their lives to feed their families. Children continue to starve and die while trucks of aid sit blocked at the border. Air-drops are dangerous, inadequate, and no substitute for a full scale, dignified humanitarian response. The suffering is worse than ever. How can we all watch the bodies of starving Palestinians – children with protruding ribs, infants too weak to cry?
WE NEED ACTIONS, NOT MORE WORDS.
WHAT ARE THE IMMEDIATE AND SUBSTANTIVE “DECISIVE MEASURES” YOU WILL TAKE – AND WHEN WILL THEY BE ENFORCED?
You assure us the UK is not arming Israel’s war on Gaza. But UK-made components are used in F-35 fighter jets deployed by Israel in Gaza – and the export licences for those components have been exempted from suspension; more than 300 export licences remain active, with no full list published, no transparency, and no parliamentary scrutiny. Your government continues to train Israeli personnel and deploy UK surveillance aircraft. And your government has admitted that UK-manufactured components may be used by Israel in Gaza.
HOW CAN YOU CLAIM THE UK IS NOT COMPLICIT IN THE KILLING OF CIVILIANS INCLUDING CHILDREN IN GAZA?
This is not neutrality. It is complicity.
International law is clear: where there is a serious risk that arms or military cooperation could contribute to war crimes or genocide, such support must stop. The International Court of Justice has ruled that there is a plausible risk of genocide in Gaza. The UK has a moral, and under the Genocide Convention, legal duty to prevent such crimes.
And still, you choose delay.
When will your government stop all military cooperation with the Government of Israel and ensure it is meeting its duty to prevent genocide?
With at least 57,680 Palestinians killed in Gaza and children being starved before our eyes, this is not a time for caution.
This is a moment that demands moral clarity and political courage.
Prime Minister, we appeal to your conscience and to the sense of justice and humanity that drew you to public service. We urge you to end the UK’s complicity, uphold your legal and moral obligations, and act now to save lives.
Sincerely,
Josie Naughton (CEO and Co-Founder) & Choose Love”
Find further information here.
