Quakers in Britain statement on ICC arrest warrants against Israeli and Hamas leaders

The news that arrest warrants have been issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Israeli and Hamas leaders sends a clear signal: no party to this violence is above the law. The focus now turns to the 124 member states of the ICC – including the United Kingdom – and what they will do to support the ICC's actions, uphold international law and its institutions, and enforce the warrants.

Thirteen months in is 13 months too late for those who have already suffered unimaginably because of this violence. We pray the UK government is propelled into action by this news, not only to publicly support the ICC's investigations and enforce the warrants, but also to review its own complicity in enabling alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity to take place. This must include reviewing what pressure can be applied to ensure the unhindered flow of aid into Gaza and implementing a ban on all UK arms exports to Israel.

We are unwavering in our belief that actions such as these are needed and justified to hasten the end of the violence. We pray the warrants – and our own government's reaction to them – will herald a desperately needed turning point for the region.

Read the statement here