The UK Government has been accused of “genocide denial” following a letter from Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy which states that Israel is not committing genocide in Gaza.
The comments were made by Patrick Harvie, external affairs spokesperson for the Scottish Greens, who described the UK’s stance as “a grotesque new low”.
The letter, sent by Lammy to the chair of the International Development Committee, has sparked sharp criticism for what some see as a political attempt to absolve the Israeli government of accountability amid a deepening humanitarian crisis.
Harvie said:
“The UK Government’s policy amounts to genocide denial and represents a grotesque new low.”
“They are totally ignoring Palestinian rights and lives in order to keep arming and supporting an Israeli government that is committing some of the worst war crimes and atrocities of this century.”
He accused Labour of moving from avoidance to outright denial.
“Labour used to duck the issue, saying it was up to the courts to determine,” he said.
“But now they are going into outright denial.
“The humanitarian crisis is getting worse while Labour’s response is getting even more shameful.”
Harvie’s remarks come just ahead of an official UK visit by Israeli President Isaac Herzog.
“With President Herzog about to touch down in the UK, Labour is legitimising Israel’s war crimes while locking people up for holding cardboard signs.
“It is the exact opposite of what should be happening.”
“Entire communities have been destroyed, and families are being starved while people are being murdered as they queue up for aid.”
He ended by questioning Labour’s moral threshold.
“Where is Labour’s line in the sand?
“What would it take for Keir Starmer and his colleagues to finally say that enough is enough and that Israel has gone too far?”
