UK MPs Push Motion for Sanctions Against Israel Over Gaza, Lebanon

A motion to penalize Israel for committing genocide in Palestine and Lebanon has been signed by at least 75 members of the British Parliament.

The UK Parliament has been presented with a proposal by Labour MP Richard Burgon that calls for extensive penalties against Israel due to its activities in Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon.

Burgon claims that 75 MPs have already signed the proposal.

Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, SNP foreign affairs spokesperson Brendan O’Hara, and Layla Moran, the only MP of Palestinian descent, are among those who have backed it.

Burgon had previously filed a motion to punish Israel for its acts of genocide in Gaza.

In addition to calling for specific actions including an arms embargo, a restriction on trade with Israeli settlements, economic sanctions, and individual sanctions against Israeli officials, the motion denounces the annexation of Palestinian lands in the West Bank. In the upcoming weeks, Burgon has urged the move to garner even more support.

Since 2024, Burgon and a number of other Members of Parliament, such as Corbyn and O’Hara, have proposed motions for the House of Commons to back resolutions passed by the UN General Assembly calling for the Israeli regime to cease its unlawful occupation of Palestinian territory.

“In Gaza, Israel has committed war crimes and egregious breaches of international law. After starting a move to censure Israel in 2024, Burgon stated, “We need real action from political leaders, not just words, to get Israel to stop committing these crimes.”

Over 72,000 Palestinians have been dead and at least 172,000 injured since Israel began its murderous attack on Gaza on October 7, 2023, the majority of whom were women and children.

Additionally, Gaza’s civilian infrastructure—including hospitals, schools, sports facilities, power plants, water reservoirs, and residential areas—has been totally destroyed by the Israeli regime.

Because of Israeli blockades, the residents of Gaza have become refugees in the besieged area, totally reliant on foreign help that seldom reaches the area.