The Senedd will debate calls for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza tomorrow (19 Feb)

‘The genocide against Palestinian people is clear and extensively evidenced’ – Glenn Page

Plaid Cymru have tabled a motion calling on the UK government to suspend all arms exports to Israel in line with international law, and condemning President Trump’s proposals to depopulate Gaza as ‘ethnic cleansing’.

The motion also calls on the Welsh government to commit further humanitarian support for Gaza and review public sector investments to ensure that ethical standards are upheld.

These follow similar calls made by the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales, who wrote to the First Minister in November to welcome initial steps taken by the Welsh Government but adding ‘we can—and must—go further’.

Speaking ahead of the debate tomorrow, Glenn Page, Amnesty International’s Government and Political Relations Manager in Wales, said:

“The genocide against Palestinian people is clear and extensively evidenced. All governments should respond to the ICJ ruling, taking urgent action to prevent genocide and further war crimes and crimes against humanity. Inaction is not only unjustifiable but risks complicity.

“It is vital that the Senedd sends a strong message in support of international law by calling for an immediate suspension on all arms transfers to Israel. Amnesty is calling on the Welsh government to urgently review public sector investments and spending to ensure public money is not used to support companies that conduct business with Israeli settlements in Occupied Palestinian Territory.

“We need a robust framework for human rights due diligence checks in Wales to ensure public spending does not have adverse human rights impacts, now and in the future.”

Amnesty’s report on genocide

A report from Amnesty International, published in December, showed Israel is committing acts of genocide in Gaza. The 296-page report - ‘You Feel Like You Are Subhuman’: Israel’s Genocide Against Palestinians in Gaza - documents how, during its military offensive launched in the wake of the deadly Hamas-led attacks in southern Israel on 7 October 2023, Israel has unleashed hell and destruction on Palestinians in Gaza brazenly, continuously and with total impunity.

ICJ ruling

In January 2024, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ordered “immediate and effective measures” to protect Palestinians in the occupied Gaza Strip from the risk of genocide. In July 2024 the ICJ set out in an advisory opinion that Israel’s occupation and annexation of Palestinian territory is unlawful and its policies and practices breach the prohibition on racial segregation and apartheid. The ICJ also clearly directed all States to take action to bring Israel’s occupation to an end and to cease any aid or assistance that enables Israel to maintain it.

If the UK does not take urgent steps to end Israel’s violations of international law as directed by the ICJ, the UK risks complicity in those crimes, as warned by UN experts.