ICJP asks UK for clarification on Britons fighting in Israeli army

A pro-Palestinian group has written to the UK's foreign secretary urging clarity on the legality of Britons fighting for the Israeli army.

The International Centre of Justice for Palestinians (ICJP) said the request, which comes amid the Gaza war, was its third to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office in just over a month.

ICJP said it had first asked for clarity on 3 November and then followed up on 22 November. Its latest letter bore Tuesday's date.

"It is deeply irresponsible that the government is continuing to permit British citizens to fight for the IDF [Israeli army] in Gaza, with no scrutiny or oversight, in circumstances under which they not only face the risk of becoming complicit in serious international crimes but also face the risk of serious injury or loss of life," ICJP said in its most recent letter.

It asked Foreign Secretary David Cameron what the UK's position was on British citizens, including dual nations, going to Israel or the occupied Palestinian territory to fight in the ongoing conflict, including as reservists or on the Mahal volunteer programme.

It also asked whether it would be a criminal offence and if the UK government had "communicated advisories to British citizens or dual nationals who are likely to be serving or volunteering in the Israeli forces on the potential legal consequences and individual criminal liability that could arise

Benyamin Needham, a 19-year-old British Israeli, was killed on Sunday while fighting for Israel's army in Gaza.

"He is the second British national confirmed to have died while fighting for Israel in the last two months," ICJP said in a press release.

"It is now clear that Britons are putting both their freedom and their lives at risk due to their potential involvement and complicity in Israeli war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide."

Israel's war on Gaza has so far killed at least 17,500 people, including over 7,000 children and seen hospitals and ambulances attacked.

ICJP is an organisation of lawyers, academics, and politicians who support Palestinian rights.

The New Arab contacted the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office for comment but did not receive a response before publication.