Famous personalities Dua Lipa, Gary Lineker, and Benedict Cumberbatch, alongside over 300 others, petition the Prime Minister to cease Britain's involvement in the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Famous figures from the media, arts, academia, and activism have launched a petition, urging Prime Minister Keir Starmer to halt the UK's arms sales to Israel and intervene in the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Over 300 public figures, including Benedict Cumberbatch, Annie Lennox, Gary Lineker, and Dua Lipa, have signed the open letter addressed to the Labour leader.
The signatories join leading doctors, campaign groups, and a Holocaust survivor in criticizing the British government for allowing UK-manufactured arms to be sold to Israel and providing licenses for military equipment. The letter, initiated by refugee charity Choose Love, calls for an immediate suspension of all UK arms sales to Israel, immediate humanitarian access for aid agencies, and a commitment to broker a ceasefire in Gaza for the children affected by the conflict.
Last week, Starmer joined French and Canadian leaders to express concerns about the escalation of military operations in Gaza, warning Israel that they would take concrete actions if the violence continued. However, the petitioners claim that the level of suffering in Gaza, particularly among innocent children, is becoming intolerable, and the government's stance on arms sales demonstrates complicity in the crisis.
In mid-2024, the UK government suspended 30 arms licences from approximately 350 related to items sent to Israel. On Tuesday, crowds reportedly overwhelmed an aid distribution centre set up by a new foundation backed by Israel and the US, resulting in multiple injuries. Israel maintains that its troops only fired warning shots during the incident.
Notably, TV personality and former Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker has recently faced criticism for sharing a controversial post on social media regarding the Palestine Lobby group, which compared Zionism to an antisemitic representation in Nazi Germany. Lineker apologized unreservedly, stating that he was unaware of the reference and that it was a mistake but reiterated the importance of engaging in humanitarian discussions, including the tragedy unfolding in Gaza.
Among the notable names supporting the petition are singers Dua Lipa and Annie Lennox, Paloma Faith, Massive Attack, and Primal Scream. Actors such as Benedict Cumberbatch, Riz Ahmed, Tilda Swinton, Nicola Coughlan, and Danny Boyle have also added their signatures, as well as television personalities Dermot O'Leary, Laura Whitmore, and Amelia Dimoldenberg.
Holocaust survivor Stephen Kapos has also joined the call, highlighting the plight of children in Gaza, who are "acutely malnourished" and face a humanitarian crisis while aid goes undelivered. The petitioners argue that continuing UK arms sales to Israel places them in a position of complicity in the violence and urges Starmer to make a courageous choice by intervening to bring an end to the crisis.
An open letter to Sir Keir, signed by over 800 UK-based or qualified legal experts, warned earlier this week that genocide was being perpetrated in Gaza.
A government spokesperson said that the UK strongly opposes the expansion of military operations in Gaza and calls on Israel to cease its offensive and allow for unimpeded access to humanitarian aid. The government maintains that it has suspended export licenses to Israel for items used in military operations in Gaza and continues to refuse licenses for military goods that could be employed by Israel in the conflict.
The spokesperson added that the government urges all parties to come to an agreement on a ceasefire and work towards a sustainable peace.
- The ongoing conflict in Gaza has prompted a significant call to action, as war-and-conflicts, politics, and general-news continue to dominate discussions.
- A petition led by various public figures, including artists, academics, and activists, has urged Prime Minister Keir Starmer to reconsider the UK's policy-and-legislation regarding arms sales to Israel.
- The petition has received support from numerous individuals, including media personalities, musicians, and even a Holocaust survivor, who argue that continuing such sales places the UK in a position of complicity in the ongoing war-and-conflicts.
- Adding to the general-news, a recent incident involved a crowded aid distribution centre in Israel, resulting in multiple injuries. This incident, among many others, underscores the urgency for a ceasefire and humanitarian access, as crime-and-justice and accidents continue to rise in the region.
