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Recently, an international inquiry concluded that Israel has carried out systematic destruction in the Gaza Strip. This conclusion comes as no shock, given that rarely have nations in history have been this overt about their objectives.

For instance: Earlier this year, the Israeli finance minister declared that “Gaza will be entirely destroyed”; soon afterwards, the country’s premier claimed that Israel is “destroying more and more houses throughout the territory,” leaving Palestinians with no place to go.

Official Position

In early September, David Lammy wrote a letter to the leader of a government committee, asserting that “ministers has examined the potential of genocide” and does not believe that Israel is acting with genocidal intent. How can different entities reach such different endpoints?

The British government avoids making a decision on genocide because if it was to, it would be compelled to admit its complicity.

International Partnerships

At the level of international relations, the British government works in alignment with the United States, Tel Aviv’s key partner. Officials persist in provide Israeli forces with key parts for military planes attacking the strip and its residents.

Israeli planes engaged in these strikes have been permitted to touch down in the UK. The UK government continues to provide information with Israel. The UK runs ongoing reconnaissance missions over the territory.

In place of implementing sweeping sanctions, UK officials promote commerce with Israel worth £6bn a year.

Contradictions

While Israeli president – whose extreme comments about collective Palestinian guilt – is granted the recognition through diplomacy, numerous activists displaying banners condemning atrocities have been arrested as though they are dangerous extremists.

Each step directed at Israel has been superficial, meant to reduce demands for change from the public. After all, a large majority UK residents feel it’s probable Israel has committed war crimes, over half backs an weapons ban, only a fifth view Israel’s assault on Gaza is reasonable, and a majority advocate for holding officials accountable for possible war crimes.

Individual Tragedies

Well-being of those residing in Gaza are deemed secondary than maintaining relations with Israel and, through association, the US. At the personal level, this approach unfolds in the most callous of ways.

Dalloul al-Neder, a constituent of Angela Rayner, got to know her on multiple times. He hosted her at his business in 2019 and took photos, saying “solidarity with Gaza”. He joined her on a trip to Westminster.

Soon after the genocide beginning in late 2023, his parent, sibling, sister-in-law and two family members were died due to an bombing. Attempting to evacuate his family – who had been trapped in debris repeatedly – he contacted Rayner twice requesting assistance.

He reports he got no reply. In January 2024, he was present at a party gathering where he got to his feet, showing pictures of his lost family, begging for a ce ceasefire and emotionally declaring, “I lost my family in Gaza”.

The whole unfortunate event was recorded: he was aggressively ejected from the meeting and into public view. Rayner did nothing, only stating “thank you, you’ve made your point”. She then unfollowed him on social media.

Days later, she was featured by media, where the event was portrayed as an example of security concerns for leaders, associating it with the murder of MPs. From that point, numerous of the man’s family members have been killed that the victims cover extensive notes of a notebook.

Imagined Scenarios

Suppose an Israeli citizen had been forcibly removed from the fundraiser of a politician they had met previously, after showing pictures of their lost loved ones and appealing for the fighting to stop. Instead of being framed as an example of dangerous abuse experienced by politicians, the resulting uproar would be splashed on media outlets and lead news bulletins.

Summary

Ministers is shirking away from difficult realities. Officials reject genocide, as recognizing it would mean admitting their involvement. The truth, ultimately, cannot be hidden.