"With the terrifying realities in Gaza, the UK government's stance raises significant ethical and legal questions. In my opinion, the UK government's unwavering support makes it complicit in Israeli war crimes, facilitating genocide and it shares responsibility for the tragic loss of civilian life in Gaza. This unwavering stance undermines any claims of impartiality and emboldens the occupation's violations of international law. This morally reprehensible position stands in stark contrast to the values the UK government allegedly upholds and demands immediate condemnation and reversal". This was part of the second critical letter of Prof Dr Abd al-Fattah El-Awaisi, a renowned leading International Professor of International Relations, to Mr Rishi Sunak, the British Prime Minister, on 24 January 2024.
Professor El-Awaisi second critical letter aims to "challenge the position of the UK government in its unwavering support for the Israeli occupation".
It starts with "As a retired British Professor of International Relations, I am deeply troubled and angered by the UK government's consistent and unequivocal support for Israel, even when it is accused of violating international law, committing war crimes and a genocide in Gaza".
Then, the letter highlighted two critical and challenging points: "Under international law, Palestinians are recognised as living under occupation and therefore have the right to resist Israeli occupation by “all available means, including armed struggle” (UN General Assembly Resolution 37/43). In contrast, Israel, as the occupying power, does not have the right to claim self-Defence under international law when it engages in military actions against Palestinians living under Israeli occupation".
In his second critical letter, the challenge of Professor El-Awaisi to the British government was straightforward:
1. "How can the UK government continue to stand with Israel in the face of credible accusations of committing genocide, war crimes and violating international law? The UK government’s diplomatic backing, military aid and direct involvement in the conflict - through giving intelligence to the Israelis - make it complicit in facilitating genocide".
2. "While the British government maintains its unequivocal support for Israel, the international community is witnessing a live-streamed genocide and ethnic cleansing in Gaza. The images and reports of civilian casualties in their tens of thousands, mainly children and women, attacks and destruction of civilian infrastructure, the displacement of nearly the entire population of the Gaza Strip, and rhetoric used by top Israeli officials are deeply troubling. These events have been widely documented and criticised by the United Nations and international human rights organisations".
3. "As the British government claims to uphold international law and human rights, it is essential that the UK government critically evaluates its position and takes a principled stance on this matter".
In light of these facts, Prof. El-Awaisi urged the Prime Minister, to "reconsider the UK's stance and to prioritise the principles of justice, human rights, human values, and international law in your government's decisions towards Palestinians living under Israeli occupation".
He concluded his letter by stating to the British Prime Minister that "The world is watching, and the UK's stance on these pressing issues will define its role".
Written by professor Dr Abd al-Fattah El-Awaisi who is an energetic Muslim scholar and a visionary, accomplished, and innovative Muslim academic leader who dedicated and planned his lifetime to education and knowledge as a base for human development, with passionate and grittier commitment to progressive education, research, and community welfare.
