CIVIL servants working on exporting arms to Israel have asked to stop “immediately" amid fears they could face prosecution for being complicit in war crimes in Gaza.
The UK has refused to stop sending weapons to Israel despite mounting pressure both internationally and domestically.
In February, a host of UN special rapporteurs, working groups, and independent experts said nations like the UK must stop the export of weapons or weapon parts to Israel “immediately” or its officials could face individual legal prosecution.
And on Wednesday, more than 600 legal experts, including former Supreme Court president Brenda Hale, said the worsening situation in Gaza and the International Court of Justice’s conclusion that there is a “plausible risk of genocide” obliges the UK to suspend arms sales to the country.
READ MORE: 'We don’t have a boycott': Labour back selling arms to Israel
Now, civil servants in Tory minister Kemi Badenoch's Department for Business and Trade (DBT) have asked to stop work on arms exports to Israel immediately amid fears they will be complicit in war crimes.
In a letter sent by the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS), officials raised concerns about "the legal jeopardy faced by civil servants who are continuing to work on this policy".
The letter said: "Given the implications for our members we believe there are ample grounds to immediately suspend all such work.
"We therefore request that you meet with us urgently to discuss this matter and cease work immediately."
The news comes after the SNP and other MPs have demanded that the UK Government publishes what legal advice it has received in relation to whether Israel is violating international humanitarian law.
President Joe Biden has told Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu (above) that future US support for the war in Gaza will depend on new steps to protect civilians and aid workers.
Paul O’Connor, head of bargaining at PCS, said: “The International Court of Justice considers that some of the alleged acts by Israel in Gaza could potentially be considered within the provisions of the Genocide Convention.
“PCS concurs with that view. We believe that the UK government has an obligation to do all it can to halt the onslaught. As it does not appear to be willing to do so, we are seriously considering taking legal action to prevent our members from being forced to carry out unlawful acts.
“We do not take such cases lightly and we only do so where we have a reasonable prospect of winning.”
More than 30,000 people have been killed in Gaza, the majority of which are women and children, since the war began after a Hamas attack on October 7.
The Government said advice in relation to Israel’s conduct in Gaza is “under review”.
A UK Government spokesperson said: “We keep advice on Israel’s adherence to International Humanitarian Law under review and will act in accordance with that advice.
“All export licence applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis against the Strategic Export Licensing Criteria.”
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