Written Evidence Submission on Behalf of BIMA to the Foreign Affairs Committee Inquiry into the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict[1] (IPC0089)

1.                      Introduction

1.1.               The British Islamic Medical Association (BIMA) is the UK's largest Muslim healthcare organisation with nearly 10,000 members[2], it unites professionals to share knowledge, foster cultural understanding, and collaborate on health initiatives nationally and globally.

1.2.               BIMA promotes the advancement of healthcare and the well-being of communities in the UK by working closely with health professionals, local and regional health and social care systems, professional bodies, health charities and local communities. Through its diverse network, BIMA delivers public health initiatives which focus on improving health outcomes through education, raising awareness, and providing critical resources to support physical and mental well-being.

1.3.               Our community’s deep, enduring connection to Palestine transcends ethnicity and nationality, often rooted in shared post-colonial heritage. Many of us have family from that region. Thus, our submission reflects the highly distressing situation our membership finds itself in,  resulting from the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and how this is affecting domestic social cohesion, professional well-being, and undermines our ability to serve and function as healthcare workers (HCWs).

1.4.               Our NHS has a crucial role in global health. However, patient confidence and the psychological well-being of our staff hinge on how systems reflect their reality. Taking the actions we outline below, which are the least that any genuine humanitarian actor could do, would increase confidence, improve efforts to address health disparities and foster an inclusive workforce.

2.                      What can – and should – the UK do, in cooperation with regional and international partners, to help bring about a ceasefire?

2.1.               The UK has a historical responsibility towards the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The Balfour Declaration of 1917, issued by the British government, ignited tensions between Arab and Jewish communities in the region. The partition of Palestine in 1948, following the British Mandate, formalised unresolved territorial divisions. The UK must fulfill its historical, moral and legal duty to meaningfully address ongoing consequences of its previous actions.

2.2.               The UK Government has been permissive in its response to the war in Gaza and attacks on surrounding countries, including Palestine as a whole (in both Gaza and the occupied West Bank), Lebanon, Yemen, Iraq and Syria. This response undermines the UK's ability to act as an effective and neutral arbitrator. Selective and disproportionate application of international law, particularly regarding Israel, has been a key factor in this failure. To bring about a ceasefire, the UK must:

2.2.1.         Suspend Arms Sales

2.2.1.1.         The UK must immediately halt the export of all remaining arms and component sales to parties involved in the conflict, particularly given evidence that these arms are very likely being used to perpetuate violations of international law upon civilians and HCWs. As of December 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) has registered over 1,000 attacks on healthcare facilities in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT) since October 2023.[3] A UN investigation found that United States (US) and UK-manufactured weapons or parts were likely used to bomb British doctors working for British and American organisations in Gaza in January 2024[4]. 
 

2.2.1.2.         The UK, as a signatory to the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), is obligated to prohibit the transfer of arms where there is knowledge they could be used in serious violations of international human rights or humanitarian law, including acts of genocide or crimes against humanity[5]. In this context, it is particularly significant that the Prime Minister of Israel has been issued an arrest warrant for crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court (ICC)[6].

2.2.1.3.         The UK's implementation of sanctions and robust response to Russia's actions in Ukraine[7] is in stark contrast to its continued support[8] and arms exports to Israel[9]. UK manufacturers, like BAE Systems, continue to supply arms to Israel, including components for F-15, F-16, and F-35 fighter jets[10]. This highlights apparent double standards in the application of international law.  Failing to act decisively risks undermining the UK’s credibility as a signatory to the ATT and risks complicity in the destruction of Gaza’s healthcare system.

2.2.2.         Uphold International Law and Protect Medical Neutrality

2.2.2.1.         The UK has considerable leverage in international diplomacy, demonstrated by its pivotal role in brokering the Good Friday Agreement and its contribution as a founding nation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It must actively engage with both regional and international partners to engineer an immediate ceasefire. This includes working through mechanisms such as the United Nations, the European Union, and direct bilateral negotiations.
 

2.2.2.2.         As a signatory to multiple international treaties, the UK has a responsibility to advocate for and uphold international law and demand accountability for violations, such as attacks on civilians and critical infrastructure. UK ministers and spokespeople must leave no room for ambiguity in upholding international commitments and legal rulings. The UK Government must recognise that Israel is an occupier of Palestinian territories, and refer to it as such, in order to re-establish international credibility and work towards an enduring peace that is rooted in justice.

2.2.2.3.         International humanitarian law also includes the specific obligation to uphold medical neutrality and ensure the protection of HCWs and health infrastructure, even more so in the case of occupation. Medical personnel and facilities must be protected from attack and interference to provide essential care to all those in need, regardless of their identity or affiliation.

2.2.3.         Protect British Nationals

2.2.3.1.         Advocate for the safety and rights of British citizens residing in Israel and the OPT, including aid workers and medical professionals, ensuring they are not placed in harm's way or subjected to undue restrictions. UK nationals with Palestinian or Muslim heritage are often not afforded the same rights or protections as dual Israeli citizens, facing discriminatory treatment, institutional anti-Palestinian racism[11] and heightened securitisation[12]. UK citizens who have supported humanitarian rights in Palestine have also faced heightened scrutiny[13].

2.2.3.2.         Three British nationals working with World Central Kitchen were killed in an Israeli airstrike in April 2024[14]. It is imperative that those responsible are held accountable, and that strong protections are put in place to safeguard humanitarian workers from future harm.  Aid workers and medical staff, including UK nationals, are working under extreme and life-threatening conditions in Gaza, facing immense challenges in delivering critical care. The UK government must take decisive action to ensure the safety, dignity, and equal treatment of all its citizens in the region.

2.2.4.         Convene a Humanitarian Task Force

2.2.4.1.         Previous examples of UK leadership in support of intervention in war for humanitarian purposes include the Kosovo Verification Mission sponsored by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe and a precursor for NATO's involvement to bring about an end to the war in Kosovo and the Former Yugoslavia[15].

2.2.4.2.         The UK has struggled to ensure that its humanitarian contribution reaches those that are in dire need. As part of the UK Government’s commitment to both intended recipients of aid, as well as to UK taxpayers, greater efforts are needed to alleviate the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza and wider Palestine[16].

2.2.4.3.         The UK voted in favour of UN Security Council resolution 2735 in June 2024[17], which emphasised the UK’s commitment to a ceasefire, exchange of hostages and prisoners as well as humanitarian assistance. The UK needs to utilise all available tools and mechanisms to support implementation of the resolution.

3. What can be learned from the record of UK Government policies to date?

3.1.               As evidenced by medical and aid organisations working in the OPT, including UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the OPT[18] and Médecins Sans Frontières[19], ongoing human rights violations in Gaza include:

3.1.1.1.         Violation of the right to life: Patients have been forcibly removed from critical care and denied medical services. Hospitals have been destroyed, civilian homes and infrastructure have been targeted and at least 20,000 children have now been killed.

3.1.1.2.         Cruel and inhumane treatment: Ongoing displacement of a civilian population, destruction of infrastructure and restricted food supplies and medical aid. Including restrictions on access to vital medicines and anesthetics.

3.1.1.3.         Destruction of healthcare infrastructure: Targeting of facilities, leaving thousands without access to medical care and displacement of patients and medical staff under duress as well as extrajudicial killings[20].

3.2.               The UK's stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict exposes significant gaps in its approach. An inconsistent response over successive governments has eroded its international credibility and undermined social cohesion domestically through the following:

3.2.1.         Failure to Consistently Enforce International Law

3.2.1.1.         In January 2024 the International Criminal Court of Justice (ICJ) called for the prevention of genocidal acts in Gaza.[21] In July 2024 the ICJ also concluded that Israel’s continued presence in the OPT is unlawful and that it is under an obligation to bring to an end its unlawful presence “as rapidly as possible”[22],[23].

3.2.1.2.         In November 2024, the ICC issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netenyahu and former defence minister Yolav Gollant for war crimes, crimes against humanity of murder, persecution, and other inhumane acts, alongside Hamas commander Mohammed Deif[24].

3.2.1.3.         The lack of tangible action in response to alleged violations of international law highlighted by both the ICC and ICJ undermines the UK's credibility and commitment to justice. The initial objection from the UK Government to support the ICC arrest warrants for crimes against humanity has fuelled this perception[25].

3.2.2.         Disproportionate Value Placed on Lives

3.2.2.1.         The perceived disparity in the value placed on Palestinian lives, as indicated by the delay in recognising the rights and dignity of the Palestinian people and failure to prevent war crimes and crimes against humanity perpetrated against them, has damaged the UK's moral standing. A balanced approach is necessary to ensure that all human lives are treated with equal respect and dignity.

3.2.2.2.         The UK’s response to Gaza stands in stark contrast to its response to recent conflicts in Ukraine, Myanmar[26], Afghanistan[27], Sudan[28] and Syria[29], where the UK demonstrated swift support for humanitarian efforts and has been quick to offer refuge and medical assistance to victims of conflict. The UK has also facilitated the treatment of victims from these conflicts.  Yet, in the case of Palestine, the UK has failed to formally support any medical evacuations[30],[31] or provide humanitarian aid on the scale seen in other conflicts, despite having done so for Gaza in 2014.[32]

3.2.3.         Suppression of Free Expression

3.2.3.1.         HCWs and academics in the UK who have called for a ceasefire or criticised the conflict have faced increasing censorship, including unsubstantiated accusations of antisemitism, harassment, and attempts to silence humanitarian and human rights activists for expressing legitimate political opinion and highlighting the catastrophic conditions under which Gazans live[33],[34]. HCWs have been referred to employers or regulatory bodies for expressing support for humanitarian rights in Gaza[35], which stifles essential discourse and undermines democratic values.

3.2.3.2.         A survey conducted by BIMA in November-December 2023 revealed that over 90% of respondents wanted to speak about Gaza, 93% felt censored and unable to do so[36]. This chilling effect is particularly damaging when it comes to the voices of doctors and other HCWs with firsthand experience in conflict zones.

3.2.3.3.         British doctors recently returning from Gaza have shared harrowing accounts of the devastation, describing the situation in Gaza’s hospitals as the worst they have encountered, despite their experience in other conflict zones[37]. The silencing of testimonies like these not only weakens efforts to address the humanitarian crisis but also hinders the flow of crucial information, undermining the responsibility to hold those accountable for these violations[38].

3.2.4.         Stoking of Community Tensions

3.2.4.1.         Incitement against Muslims and Palestinians on public platforms, including by UK politicians[39],[40], has exacerbated community divisions and led to a rise in hate crimes, particularly during the summer riots which were deeply rooted in Islamophobia, xenophobia and racism and directly linked to disinformation spread by online influencers[41]. Islamophobia and anti-Palestinian racism are deeply intertwined[42] with these forms of discrimination often reinforcing one another. Both are regularly manufactured through disinformation[43]. 

3.2.4.2.         A second BIMA survey[44] of nearly 300 HCWs in August 2024 revealed that more than one-third had experienced Islamophobia from colleagues or patients within the first three weeks following riots orchestrated by far-right groups, visibly Muslim women reported the highest levels of discrimination. Most respondents felt unsupported by their employers or professional bodies during this period. Safety concerns were widespread, with over 80% forced to alter their lifestyles to mitigate personal risk.

3.2.4.3.         Similarly, Muslim and pro-Palestinian HCWs have been targeted and harassed by lobby groups, media commentators, and social media accounts[45]. These groups are actively engaged in atrocity denial, by claiming fatality figures in Gaza are fabricated[46] in sharp contrast to data published by reputable international aid agencies and medical organisations on the ground[47]. This harassment not only seeks to silence those advocating for Palestinian rights but also aims to undermine their credibility, threatening the safety and professional integrity of those speaking out in defence of human rights and humanitarian principles.

3.2.5.         Inadequate Media Coverage

3.2.5.1.         The limited reporting on the destruction in Gaza, silencing of Palestinian voices[48], and the ongoing humanitarian crisis obscures the reality of the conflict and impedes informed public debate. Scores of journalists have been targeted and killed[49], with Israeli authorities heavily restricting[50] and influencing access[51] to foreign journalists[52]. Research by the Centre for Media Monitoring has shown that UK media have consistently silenced Palestinian voices, misrepresented their views, and perpetuated Islamophobic tropes[53]. Media bias in coverage not only distorts the reality of the Palestinian experience but also contributes to the wider climate of discrimination and hostility towards Muslims and Palestinians in the UK[54].

3.2.5.2.         Lobbyists have been long shown to influence legacy media[55]. A recent investigation revealed that senior BBC figures skewed coverage of Israel’s actions in Gaza by dismissing staff objections and aligning with Israeli state narratives[56]. This calls for strengthened media regulation on international conflict reporting to promote balanced and accurate news to ensure informed public debate and counter disinformation that exacerbates tensions.

3.2.5.3.         By failing to accurately represent the perspectives of Palestinians and instead reinforcing negative stereotypes, the media plays a significant role in shaping public opinion in ways that support ongoing violence and also weakens the call for justice and impeding the UK to fulfil its obligations as a signatory to international treaties that protect human rights and ensure accountability for violations of international law.

3.2.6.         Enabling Community Divisions and Racism

3.2.6.1.         The UK Government has been slow to proscribe far-right and neo-populist organisations or to crack down on influencers and foreign actors who incite racism and Islamophobia[57],[58],[59],[60]. This has exacerbated social tensions and bigotry towards Muslim and Palestinian communities in the UK[61], and further aggravated by UK ministers' refusal to acknowledge the role of Islamophobia in the summer riots of 2024, despite clear evidence to the contrary.[62]

3.2.6.2.         Following the riots, the Crown Prosecution Service appeared to have imposed excessive sentencing, with harsher penalties for victims who defended themselves[63] than for the perpetrators of racist violence[64]. This has further marginalised Muslims and minorities, reinforcing a sense of exclusion and alienation. This disparity reflects broader criticisms of security initiatives like Prevent, which have been widely condemned, including by the UNHCR[65], for disproportionately targeting Muslim communities, fostering mistrust, and failing to address all forms of hate and discrimination equitably.

3.2.6.3.         BIMA’s surveys highlight rising Islamophobia in the workplace, with over one-third of HCWs reporting recent discrimination. These failures have harmed workplace harmony and community cohesion, impacting the NHS and British society at large. UK HCWs have faced disproportionate scrutiny and repercussions when allegations of antisemitism are raised, compared to the often insufficient responses to Islamophobia or racism[66].  This also impacts the perceptions of justice and robustness of free speech. Our members ask how it is possible for pro-Israeli health and legal professionals, who are governed by the same professional codes of conduct as we are, to make public statements or engage in actions that seem to contravene those codes without facing similar scrutiny or repercussions.

4. How can the UK assure the resilience of efforts to bring about a lasting peace at a time of uncertainty caused by conflicts elsewhere and changes in leadership in the international community?

4.1.               To ensure sustainable peace, the UK must commit to address ongoing violations in the OPT and commit unequivocally to the following principles:

4.1.1.         Recognise the State of Palestine: To ensure a sustainable peace, the UK must recognise the State of Palestine, without delay or conditions. In so doing the UK would follow the example of 146 member states of the UN[67] to acknowledge the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, correct a historical wrong and address one of the root causes of the conflict.

4.1.2.         Address the immediate humanitarian disaster in Gaza: This includes ensuring that adequate healthcare and aid reach Gaza, the rebuilding of Gaza’s health infrastructure, and immediate issue of visas for the transfer of critical and complex Palestinian patients for treatment and rehabilitation in the UK.

4.1.3.         Support and resource credible independent investigations: Multiple UN agencies, international NGOs, international leaders and human rights observatories have highlighted violations of medical neutrality and targeting of HCWs and facilities in Gaza. The UK Government must ensure that independent experts are resourced to quickly establish facts[68], and not simply rely on potentially biased Israeli Government accounts or investigations.

4.1.4.         Prioritise human rights: Uphold human rights universally, without bias, and ensure that efforts to achieve peace are rooted in justice and equality. Unequal treatment of Palestinians and selective application of human rights will propagate domestic social discord.

4.1.5.         Adhere to international law: Advocate for and enforce compliance with international legal standards, including the protection of civilians and accountability for war crimes.  This includes fully supporting the rulings of the ICC and ICJ. It also requires accountability for all UK citizens and visitors who may have committed war crimes, including those serving in the IDF, which also stands accused of acts of genocide.

4.1.6.         Promote justice and reconciliation: Invest in initiatives that address historical injustices, foster equity with credible independent Palestinian voices, and engage civil society actors across the region, as well as engaging diaspora communities in Britain.

4.1.7.         Address domestic extremism: Proscribe far-right and neo-populist organisations that promote violence, and confront influencers who stoke racism and Islamophobia, including those doing so under the guise of pro-Israeli advocacy. The Home Office must explicitly call out Islamophobia, acting decisively to counter disinformation and those who exploit social platforms to spread harmful tropes and incite hate. It is important however that this should not censor honest discussion of the humanitarian situation, including in Gaza, nor should it conflate pro-Palestinian advocacy with antisemitism.

4.2.               The UK has a unique opportunity to meaningfully influence peacebuilding efforts.  It must commit resources to promote justice, equity, reconciliation, and development, engaging civil society actors across the region. By embracing its historical, moral and legal responsibilities, the government can contribute to a resolution that upholds the dignity and rights of all people affected by this conflict.

31st December 2024