To: Sir Keir Starmer KC MP, Leader of the Labour Party

Dear Sir Starmer,

We write to you with grave urgency and deep concern following the aerial drone attack carried out by the Israeli Defence Force on 2 May 2025 against the “Conscience”, a civilian vessel participating in the international Freedom Flotilla. The ship was carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza when it was attacked in international waters off the coast of Malta, resulting in its sinking and endangering the lives of all aboard.

This was not an isolated incident. It follows a series of alarming attacks by Israel targeting civilian and humanitarian actors attempting to bring relief to Gaza amidst a deepening humanitarian catastrophe. These include:

The 5 April 2024 Israeli airstrike on the World Central Kitchen convoy, which killed seven humanitarian workers from multiple nations—including British, Australian, and Polish nationals—despite their vehicles being clearly marked and coordinated with the Israeli military.

Repeated strikes on UN and NGO-run facilities in Gaza, including documented attacks on UNRWA shelters and hospitals throughout late 2023 and early 2024, resulting in significant civilian casualties.

The November 2023 attack on the Al-Ahli Arab Hospital, widely condemned as a violation of international humanitarian law.

The obstruction and destruction of aid convoys, including delays and denials of access to food, fuel, and medical supplies, which human rights experts have warned may amount to collective punishment and a breach of the Geneva Conventions.

These incidents, taken together, demonstrate a deeply concerning pattern of hostility towards humanitarian efforts and disregard for international legal protections. The UK has clear obligations under:

The Geneva Conventions and the Geneva Conventions Act 1957, which make grave breaches—including targeting of humanitarian missions—a criminal offence;

The Law of the Sea, which protects freedom of navigation and prohibits attacks on civilian vessels in international waters;

The Genocide Convention and International Criminal Court Act 2001, which compel states not only to refrain from, but to prevent and punish genocide and war crimes;

The responsibility of states under international law—as affirmed by the International Court of Justice—to prevent complicity in international crimes by withholding any form of support to states or actors engaged in such violations.

In light of UN General Assembly Resolution A/ES-10/L.31/Rev.1 (13 September 2024)—which calls for all states to end support contributing to the unlawful occupation and systematic violations of international law – we urge you to act immediately and decisively.

We call on you to:

Publicly and unequivocally condemn the 2 May attack on the Freedom Flotilla;

Call for an independent international investigation into the incident and all related attacks on humanitarian missions;

Support the suspension of all UK arms exports and military cooperation with Israel, including dual-use goods and services;

Back targeted sanctions against Israeli officials and entities credibly implicated in violations of international law;

Freeze assets held in the UK by those directly or indirectly complicit in war crimes;

Ban trade in technology and materials contributing to military operations or occupation infrastructure;

Demand full compliance with international humanitarian law and accountability for those who violate it.

The United Kingdom must not turn a blind eye to systematic attacks on humanitarian workers and civilians. Inaction in the face of repeated, well-documented violations risks moral failure and legal complicity.

We urge you to use your leadership to uphold international law, defend the rights of civilians, and ensure that Britain is not contributing, by action or omission to the suffering of the Palestinian people or the silencing of those trying to assist them.

Yours sincerely,

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