Former Labour Party leader to table bill for inquiry into U.K.'s role in Israel-Gaza Conflict
Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn will table a bill seeking a formal inquiry into the U.K.'s role in the Israel-Gaza conflict since October 2023. The text of the bill, which was released on Wednesday (May 21, 2025), comes as the U.K. and some of its key allies shifted positions on Israel. Mr. Corbyn, now an independent MP, has repeatedly accused the U.K. Government, currently run by the Labour Party, of being complicit in genocide in Gaza.
Mr. Corbyn will present the 'Gaza (Independent Public Inquiry) Bill' on Wednesday (May 21, 2025) 4th June, under the House of Commons' Ten-Minute-Rule Bill, his office said.
This bill 'make a provision for establishing an independent public inquiry into U.K. involvement in Israeli military operations in Gaza', a statement from his office said. Mr. Corbyn will be permitted a 10-minute speech, under parliamentary rules, when he presents his bill.
The proposed bill comes after a letter from Mr. Corbyn to U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, asking him to institute 'a comprehensive inquiry with the legal power to establish the truth' around the U.K.'s role in the West Asia conflict since October 2023 (when the current phase of the Israel-Hamas conflict began). Close lose to 40 MPs have added their names to the request subsequently.
The June 4 bill wants the proposed inquiry 'to consider any U.K. military, economic or political cooperation with Israel since October 2023, including the sale, supply or use of weapons, surveillance aircraft and Royal Air Force bases'. It also seeks to vest the inquiry with the power to question ministers on their involvement in decisions around the conflict, as per a statement from Mr. Corbyn's office.
On Monday (May 19, 2025), the U.K., along with Canada and France, issued a statement condemning the latest phase of Israel's 'extensive' operations in Gaza announced over the weekend. On Tuesday (May 20, 2025), the U.K. announced sanctions on specific individuals and organisations connected with violence against Palestinian communities and illegal settlements in the West Bank. London also announced a pause in trade talks with Tel Aviv.
'It's quite simple: you cannot say you oppose Israel's renewed military operation if you keep providing them with the weapons they need to carry it out,' Mr. Corbyn said in a quote emailed to The Hindu in response to a question on the shift in the U.K. Government's position on Israel.
'There is only one way the government can cease its complicity in genocide – and that's by ending military cooperation with Israel and imposing sanctions, now,' he added.
On Tuesday (May 20, 2025), a high-ranking United Nations aid official, Tom Fletcher, said 14,000 babies in Gaza were at risk of death in the next 48 hours if humanitarian aid did not reach them.
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