Independent British MP Jeremy Corbyn is preparing to introduce a parliamentary bill on June 4 calling for an independent public inquiry into the UK’s potential complicity in what he describes as Israel’s genocidal assault on Gaza.
The bill will be presented under the Ten Minute Rule—a mechanism that allows backbench MPs to propose new legislation via a short speech in the House of Commons.
In a statement shared on social media, Corbyn said, “It’s official. I will be introducing a bill for an independent public inquiry into the UK’s involvement in Israel’s assault on Gaza. The government must decide: will it support this inquiry, or will it block our efforts to establish the truth?”
If approved, the legislation would establish a fully independent inquiry with powers to compel current and former government ministers and officials to provide evidence.
It would investigate arms sales, intelligence cooperation, and broader political and economic support for Israel since the outbreak of the war in October 2023.
A central focus would be to determine whether UK assistance contributed to breaches of international law, including potential acts of genocide.
Corbyn’s announcement comes following growing international and domestic criticism of Israel’s ongoing military bombardment in Gaza.
A joint statement from the UK, France, and Canada recently condemned Israeli actions, warning that the blocking of humanitarian aid and forced displacement of civilians may violate international humanitarian law.
Despite this shift in rhetoric, Britain’s continued material support for Israel has drawn increasing scrutiny.
Investigative journalist Matt Kennard reported that just hours after issuing the joint condemnation, a UK surveillance aircraft was deployed over Gaza to gather intelligence for Israel.
“If you collect intel for a genocidal power attacking a population, you are complicit,” Kennard argued. “UK ministers need to be arrested.”
Investigations by Declassified UK have found that the Royal Air Force has conducted more than 500 surveillance flights over or near Gaza in the past 19 months.
While these missions are officially described as supporting hostage rescue operations, they have often coincided with major Israeli strikes, resulting in large-scale civilian casualties.
Human rights advocates warn that intelligence shared with Israel may have aided unlawful attacks.
Meanwhile, the UK government continues to approve weapons exports to Israel. Reports suggest that more arms were authorised under the current Labour government in just three months than under the previous Conservative administration over four years.
Ministers have also defended these arms deals in court, even as the High Court hears a case challenging their legality during Israel’s war on Gaza.
Legal scholars and human rights campaigners maintain that the UK’s support may amount to complicity in war crimes, especially given the government’s recent courtroom admission that Israel is “not committed to upholding international humanitarian law.”
