The British government does not believe Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, former foreign secretary David Lammy wrote in a letter last week, The Times reports.
“As per the Genocide Convention, the crime of genocide occurs only where there is specific ‘intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial or religious group,'” Lammy wrote to Sarah Champion, chairwoman of the British Parliament’s International Development Committee. “The government has not concluded that Israel is acting with that intent.”
He was responding to a letter from Champion asking why the UK was supplying parts for F-35 fighter jets that have made their way to Israel.
Lammy wrote the letter before he was replaced as foreign secretary last week.
Government ministers, including Lammy himself, have said previously that it is not up to the government to determine whether Israel is committing genocide. Israel adamantly rejects the charge.
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