SNP demands to see legal advice on whether Israel has broken international law

SNP MP Chris Law called for arm sales to Israel to end immediately if the country has breached international law.
The SNP’s Chris Law has written to Attorney General Victoria Prentis over legal advice given to the UK Government on Israel’s actions in Gaza (David Woolfall/UK Parliament/PA)
PA Media
Rhiannon James2 April 2024
WEST END FINAL

Get our award-winning daily news email featuring exclusive stories, opinion and expert analysis

I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.

The SNP has demanded that any legal advice given to the Government on whether Israel has broken international law be released.

In a letter to Attorney General Victoria Prentis, SNP MP Chris Law said there is “overwhelming public and parliamentary interest” in  advice given to the Government being published.

Mr Law also called for arm sales to Israel to end immediately if the country has breached international law.

The Dundee West MP said: “Reports about the UK failing to release the information received from their lawyers about Israel’s potential breach of international humanitarian law is deeply concerning.

There is overwhelming public interest in the issue, with over 30,000 Palestinian children, women and men killed - and Gaza on the brink of famine

Chris Law, SNP

“That is why – with the support of colleagues from across both Houses – I have written to the Attorney General, demanding the UK government release all the legal advice it has received.

“There is overwhelming public interest in the issue, with over 30,000 Palestinian children, women and men killed – and Gaza on the brink of famine.

“From the outset, unlike the Tories and Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour Party, the SNP’s values have been clear. We demand an immediate ceasefire, and will continue to push the UK government to end arm sales to Israel immediately.

“Too many people have lost their lives. What else has to happen before the UK finally acts?”

I do not need to remind you that international law prohibits attacks on aid workers

Labour's Richard Burgon

Labour MP Richard Burgon has also called for arms sales to Israel to be suspended, following the death of British aid workers on Monday evening.

The Leeds East MP demanded an immediate investigation into whether UK-supplied arms were used to kill the seven World Central Kitchen workers.

Three British nationals were among those killed in the air strike, alongside an Australian, a Polish national, an American-Canadian dual citizen and a Palestinian.

In a letter to Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron, Mr Burgon wrote: “This attack once again underlines why the UK should immediately suspend arms sales to Israel, given the role these could be playing in such deadly attacks on Gaza and even in war crimes carried out by the Israeli Government.

“I do not need to remind you that international law prohibits attacks on aid workers.”

Create a FREE account to continue reading

eros

Registration is a free and easy way to support our journalism.

Join our community where you can: comment on stories; sign up to newsletters; enter competitions and access content on our app.

Your email address

Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number

You must be at least 18 years old to create an account

* Required fields

Already have an account? SIGN IN

By clicking Create Account you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use , Cookie policy and Privacy policy .

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in