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This week, an international inquiry determined that Israeli forces is perpetrating acts of genocide in Gaza. This conclusion was widely anticipated, given that few states in history have been so brazen about their objectives.

For instance: Months ago, a top Israeli official announced that “Gaza is to be entirely destroyed”; shortly after, prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed that its forces are “razing more and more houses across Gaza,” leaving Palestinians with no home to go back to.

Government’s Stance

Recently, Labour’s deputy prime minister sent a statement to the chair of a parliamentary body, stating that “ministers has thoroughly reviewed the possibility of genocide” and has not determined that Israel is acting with genocidal motives. What explains separate organizations reach such different endpoints?

The British government has not come to a verdict on genocide since were it to, it would need to confront its complicity.

Support for Israel

In terms of foreign and military policy, the British government coordinates closely with the US, a major backer of Israel. The UK continues to provide Israel with essential elements for military planes attacking Gaza and its people.

Israeli planes carrying out this bombing have been allowed to land in the UK. Authorities continues to provide information with Israeli officials. Britain operates ongoing reconnaissance missions over the region.

And rather than impose sweeping sanctions, UK officials promote commerce with Israel worth billions a year.

Contradictions

Whereas the nation’s leader – noted for inflammatory statements about group accountability – is granted the honour of an official visit, many activists displaying banners denouncing violence have been arrested as though they are security threats.

Each step directed at Israel has been performative, in order to dampen calls for change from the people. After all, most UK residents feel it’s likely Israel has violated international law, many backs an arms embargo, a small fraction view Israel’s operations in Gaza is acceptable, and over half endorse legal action against the leader for possible atrocities.

Individual Tragedies

Safety of those living in Gaza are seen as of lower priority than maintaining relations with Israel and, through association, the US. At the personal level, this policy plays out in the cruelest of ways.

Dalloul al-Neder, a resident of former deputy prime minister, interacted with her on a few instances. They met at his business in 2019 and appeared together, stating “support for Palestinian rights”. She took him on a trip to Westminster.

Within weeks the violence erupting in late 2023, his mother, brother, relative and two family members were died due to an bombing. Attempting to save his loved ones – who had been buried under rubble on multiple occasions – he emailed the official on two occasions to seek help.

He says he received no response. In January 2024, he attended a political event where he stood up, clutching photos of his lost family, begging for a halt in violence and emotionally declaring, “I lost my family in Gaza”.

The distressing incident was filmed: he was forcibly removed from the meeting and into public view. The minister remained passive, merely commenting “response, you’ve made your point”. Subsequently unfollowed him on social media.

Days later, she was questioned by media, where the incident was framed as an example of security concerns for leaders, comparing it to the killings of elected officials. From that point, numerous of Neder’s loved ones have been killed that the victims take up multiple sheets of a notebook.

Hypothetical Situations

Suppose an Jewish resident had been expelled from the event of a politician they were acquainted with, after showing photographs of their dead relatives and begging for the fighting to stop. Instead of being described as an example of dangerous abuse experienced by politicians, the response would be highlighted by media outlets and lead news bulletins.

Final Thoughts

Ministers is evading hard facts. There is refusal to admit genocide, since acknowledging it would mean accepting their own complicity. The truth, as they say, cannot be hidden.