An online petition calling for an independent inquiry into the United Kingdom’s involvement in what it calls Israel’s genocide in Gaza has passed 91,000 signatures. It is quickly nearing the 100,000 signatures needed for parliament to consider a debate on the issue.
The petition was launched on 23 October by Jennifer Forbes, head of Your Party. It calls for an inquiry into the UK’s role in Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, covering in particular arms supplies to Israel, surveillance flights and the use of Royal Air Force (RAF) bases. The proposed commission of inquiry would also have the power to question ministers and officials.
The UK government has already rejected Jeremy Corbyn’s call for an inquiry. In a statement on 19 October, Foreign Office minister of state Stephen Doughty said the existing systems of accountability and oversight in parliament were enough to review the matter, so a separate inquiry was not needed.
In a statement last week, Corbyn said: “The public has a right to know about Britain’s role in Israel’s assault on Gaza. There must be accountability for everything: arms sales, the use of RAF bases, surveillance flights and the legal advice on genocide.”
“If the government has nothing to hide, why is it running from accountability?” he added.
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