10 Brits accused of Gaza war crimes as experts urge police probe all reports
A team of legal experts led by the Public Interest Law Centre, including renowned human rights barrister Michael Mansfield KC, lodged an extensively researched 240-page report (see summary) with the War Crimes Team at London’s Metropolitan Police on Monday.
The landmark dossier, the first of its kind, was submitted on behalf of the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) and the Public Interest Law Centre, which are representing Palestinians in Gaza and Britain. Seventy legal and human rights experts have also signed a letter of support urging the War Crimes Team to investigate any and all complaints regarding involvement in war crimes and crimes against humanity.
“I could not bear what I saw: dead bodies scattered next to each other,” a witness whose relatives were killed in an Israeli attack said in testimony collected by PCHR.
“I could not recognise them as they were covered with a blanket… I took off the cover and saw the bodies of my uncle and his son, my nephews, and my brother-in-law along with other displaced people’s bodies.”
The 10 Britons, including Israeli dual nationals, are suspected of crimes such as murder, extermination, attacking civilians, and deportation or forcible transfer of population.
It follows an international call to action from the Global 195 legal coalition, which is seeking accountability for alleged war crimes in Palestine.
“In the last 18 months we have witnessed international crimes unfold. Our leaders have done little if anything to prevent the suffering of millions of innocent Palestinians,” Mansfield said.
“We ask the War Crimes Unit to take this report seriously, investigate, and if proven, arrest and try the individuals named.
“British nationals are under a legal obligation not to collude with crimes committed in Palestine. No one is above the law.”
The report, based on six months of extensive evidence gathering, covers alleged offences committed in Gaza from October 2023 to May 2024.
To comply with British law while the War Crimes Team considers the complaints, the full report cannot be made available to the media.
ENDS
For any requests, contact:
Public Interest Law Centre with the subject line: War Crimes Report
Email: campaigns@pilc.org.uk
Phone: +44 (0) 7886 270061