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This week, a United Nations panel concluded that Israeli forces is perpetrating genocide in the Gaza Strip. This verdict comes as no shock, given that few states in history have been so brazen about their intentions.

To take just two examples: In May, a top Israeli official stated that “Gaza is to be entirely destroyed”; soon afterwards, Israel’s leader asserted that the state is “destroying more and more houses in Gaza,” leaving Palestinians with nowhere to return.

Government’s Stance

At the beginning of this month, David Lammy wrote a communication to the head of the international development committee, asserting that “the government has thoroughly reviewed the possibility of genocide” and does not believe that Israeli authorities is acting with genocidal intent. How can different entities reach such different endpoints?

The British government avoids making a conclusion on genocide since should it, it would have to face up to its involvement.

Alignment with Allies

At the level of diplomatic and defense strategy, ministers works in alignment with the America, Tel Aviv’s key partner. Officials persist in furnish Israeli forces with essential elements for military planes bombing the strip and its residents.

Israeli planes engaged in aerial attacks have been allowed to land in the United Kingdom. The UK government continues to provide information with Israel. Officials conduct constant monitoring operations over the region.

Instead of enacting broad penalties, UK officials facilitate trade with Israeli entities worth significant sums a year.

Double Standards

Whereas the nation’s leader – noted for inflammatory statements about broad blame on Palestinians – is awarded the privilege of a state trip, numerous peaceful protesters holding placards opposing genocide are detained as though they are dangerous extremists.

Every action regarding Israel has been symbolic, in order to dampen calls for action from the citizens. In fact, a large majority UK residents feel it’s possible Israel has violated international law, many supports an weapons ban, only a fifth view Israel’s operations in Gaza is acceptable, and a majority support Netanyahu’s arrest for suspected war crimes.

Individual Tragedies

Safety of those from Gaza are considered of lower priority than maintaining relations with Israel and, through association, the US. In human terms, this stance unfolds in the harshest of ways.

A Palestinian refugee, a resident of Angela Rayner, met her on multiple times. He hosted her at his establishment in 2019 and posed for pictures, stating “support for Palestinian rights”. They toured on a tour of parliament.

Within weeks the violence erupting in last year, his mother, sibling, relative and two children were lost in an attack. Attempting to save his loved ones – who had been buried under rubble on multiple occasions – he contacted Rayner on two occasions asking for support.

He reports he got no reply. Earlier this year, he was present at a political event where he spoke out, holding images of his dead mother, pleading for a end to hostilities and emotionally declaring, “My relatives were killed in Gaza”.

The distressing incident was recorded: he was aggressively ejected from the event and outside. Rayner did nothing, except to say “response, you’ve made your point”. She then cut ties on online platforms.

Days later, she was featured by a news outlet, where the event was described as an example of security concerns for leaders, linking it to the murder of MPs. From that point, numerous of the man’s loved ones have been lost that their names take up three pages of a journal.

Imagined Scenarios

Suppose an Israeli citizen had been expelled from the gathering of a official they were acquainted with, after showing pictures of their lost loved ones and appealing for the fighting to stop. Rather than being labeled an example of dangerous abuse suffered by politicians, the outcry would be highlighted by newspapers and lead news bulletins.

Conclusion

The UK administration is shirking away from uncomfortable truths. Officials reject genocide, since admitting it would mean accepting their role. Reality, as they say, will out.