WRITTEN EVIDENCE (THE ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN CONFLICT) SUBMITTED BY MOHAMAD AL-MAIL (IPC0025)

In the spirit of historical reflection and moral responsibility, this written evidence is submitted in response to the Committee’s inquiry concerning the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The motivation for submitting this evidence is rooted in a deep commitment to justice and the belief in the necessity of addressing historical injustices to pave the way for a sustainable and equitable resolution to the conflict.

1. The United Kingdom’s (UK) historical role in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, particularly through the Balfour Declaration, necessitates a critical reassessment of its current policies, and acknowledging this complicity is essential for progress. It is important to examine the ideological foundations of Israeli policies towards Palestinians and the impact of the Zionist project on their rights, as well as the limitations of past UK policies like the Oslo Accords. A proposal to achieve a semi-resolution emerges, advocating for a rethinking of these foundational ideologies and a shift in Israel’s governing system from a Zionist framework to a more inclusive transitional model, thereby paving the way for a final resolution to the conflict and land.

2. The classification of Hamas as a terrorist organisation should be urgently reconsidered, as it may hinder meaningful dialogue and negotiations with Palestinian factions, obstructing the path to a peaceful resolution, and engaging with Hamas, particularly its political wing, is crucial for a sustainable peace process, as historical examples like the engagement with Sinn Féin in the Northern Ireland peace process highlight the importance of dialogue with political entities regardless of their labels.

3. A bold policy shift is necessary to reassess diplomatic relations with Israel, drawing lessons from the historical context of apartheid South Africa, where UK pressure was pivotal in promoting change. This reassessment could involve imposing an embargo on all arms exports to Israel, including the sale and licensing of military equipment. Additionally, it could include freezing Israeli assets and imposing restrictions on military and trade cooperation until human rights violations are addressed, sending a clear message that international support is not unconditional. This urgent call to action is reinforced by the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) assessment of a reasonable risk of genocide in Gaza[1] and Amnesty International’s findings of Israel’s genocidal acts against Palestinians.[2]

4. It is essential to promote the enforcement of international legal frameworks to ensure accountability for violators, commit to upholding international law—including the arrest of Israeli leaders in line with the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC)[3]—and acknowledge that historical precedents, such as the Nuremberg Trials, demonstrate the significance of accountability in achieving lasting peace.

5. Engaging Palestinian civil society groups in the UK is a critical step toward fostering a more inclusive and diverse approach to the Israeli-Palestinian issue while facilitating a better understanding of the perspectives and needs of the Palestinian people.

6. The term ‘Palestino-phobic’ should be recognised and defined to describe attitudes, policies, and rhetoric that perpetuate discrimination, hostility, or violence against Palestinians. This term reflects a historical pattern of marginalisation and dehumanisation of Palestinians, which has been evident in various political, social, and media narratives. By naming this phenomenon, it becomes possible to challenge and counteract harmful narratives that contribute to ongoing injustices.

Mohamad Al-Mail

30th December 2024