Labour MP Richard Burgon is pushing for sanctions on arms, trade, the economy and Israeli officials to ‘stop these war crimes’ [GETTY]
More than 60 UK lawmakers are backing a parliamentary motion for widespread sanctions on Israel, as its government moves to annex the occupied West Bank.
Labour MP Richard Burgon said he is pushing for sanctions on arms, trade, the economy & Israeli officials to “stop these war crimes”, with 66 parliamentarians signing the proposal.
The motion, tabled on 23 February, criticises the Israeli government’s 15 February approval to register land in the occupied territory, making it easier for settlers to acquire Palestinian land.
“The pressure for real action for sanctions – on arms, trade, the wider economy and Israeli officials – is growing,” Burgon told The New Arab.
The MP said his colleagues are “increasingly tired of the hypocrisy” after the UK government imposed widespread sanctions on Russia following its 2022 invasion of Ukraine, but is refusing to take similar action against Israel over its international law violations.
“It’s clear that there is a growing push inside Parliament for sanctions on Israel as the only way to end Israel’s clear breaches of international law,” Burgon said.
“That is not only the right thing to do to end the genocide and war crimes, it is also the legal responsibility of the British Government following the historic ruling of the International Court of Justice.”
Burgon is calling on the government to meet its legal obligations, following the International Court of Justice’s advisory opinion on banning trade and investment in goods linked with Israeli settlements, which are illegal under international law.
“Following the ICJ Opinion…imposing targeted sanctions including travel bans and asset freezes on all individuals and entities complicit in Israel’s occupation, suspending the UK-Israel trade agreement until Israel complies with international law, and imposing an arms embargo on Israel,” the motion reads.
Signatories include members from over eight parties, independent MPs and all the members of the pro-Palestine Independent Alliance bloc.
Following the outbreak of Israel’s war on Gaza in October 2023, Burgon raised a motion – backed by 95 MPs – calling for an immediate ceasefire.
The following year, Burgon tabled another motion calling for the government to impose sanctions on Israel.
The politician also co-organised a letter in November 2024 calling on then-Foreign Secretary David Lammy to impose sanctions on Israel to uphold international law. The letter was signed by more than 60 parliamentarians from seven political parties.
The MP co-organised a similar letter that was signed by over 80 MPs and Lords in July last year.
