Summary 

Tell the UK Foreign department that it must stop its attacks on Yemen in response to their defence of the Palestinian people in Gaza.

Background

Many United Nations officials have repeatedly affirmed a genocide is being carried out in Gaza by Israel. The Gazan Health Ministry has confirmed the murder of over 38,000 civilians while the Lancet have stated is not implausible to estimate that up to 186 000 or even more deaths could be attributable to the current conflict in Gaza. Using the 2022 Gaza Strip population estimate of 2 375 259, this would translate to 7.9% of the total population in the Gaza Strip. Yet despite 9 months of killings, deliberate starvation and ethnic cleansing, Western governments continue their support for the Zionist settler colonialist entity that is Israel. Only one country, during these 9 months, has actively adhered to the provisions of the Geneva Convention to prevent the occurrence of genocide and it has done so by instituting a comprehensive blockade in the Red Sea against all commercial vessels linked to Israel or destined for Israeli ports. Despite their valiant efforts and adherence to international law, the UK has not only bombed Yemen, but has actively supported the US in attacking the Yemeni navy. We want to send a message to the new foreign secretary that this must stop now.

Requested Action 

Write to UK foreign secretary David Lammy and demand he does not support the Gaza Genocide and attack on Yemen.  A model letter / email can be found below.

You can visit our Yemen campaign page for more resources here

You can visit our Palestine campaign page for more resources, including our own reports and briefings on the subject, here

Model letter / email 

Dear Rt Hon David Lammy,

Re: Stop the UK militarily aiding the Gaza Genocide by attacking Yemen.

I have been horrified by the UK government’s support of the bombing of Yemen. Yemen is the only country actively fulfilling their obligations under the Geneva Convention by blockading commercial vessels in the Red Sea linked to Israel in order to prevent what many UN officials have repeatedly identified as a genocide being carried out in Gaza over these last 9 months. A report by The Lancet (July 2024) has claimed that the total of both direct and indirect deaths in Gaza could be as high as 186 000. The International Court of Justice is investigating Israel for the crime of genocide, and the International Criminal Court is preparing to issue arrest warrants for both Prime Minister Netanyahu and Israel’s Minister of Defence for war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The world has witnessed for 9 months the UK government’s complicity in Israel’s genocide of the Palestinians of Gaza. The world will not forget this nor will they forget the UK’s disgraceful support of the bombing of Yemen simply for upholding their obligations to prevent a genocide under International Law.

I believe that the UK government has no alternative other than to change the stance of your predecessors and begin to conform to its obligations under international law by changing its stance on Yemen, as well as sanctioning Israel and taking punitive measures against them to enforce a just and permanent ceasefire.

Yours sincerely,

[If posting, your signature]

[Your name]

Address

The Rt Hon David Lammy

Foreign & Commonwealth Office,
King Charles Street,
London
SW1A 2AH

Alternatively, you can email him at fcdo.correspondence@fcdo.gov.uk