<\/p>\n
Refugee charity Choose Love<\/a> and celebrities including Dua Lipa<\/a>, Riz Ahmed<\/a>, Primal Scream<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Benedict Cumberbatch<\/a> have hit back at Prime Minister Keir Starmer\u2019s response to their open letter.<\/p>\n The group put forward a request to \u201cend UK complicity\u201d in Gaza in May<\/a>, demanding\u00a0all UK arms sales to Israel are immediately suspended, that there is immediate humanitarian access for experienced aid agencies, and that the government commit to seeking a ceasefire for \u201cthe children of Gaza\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cWe urge you to take immediate action to end the UK\u2019s complicity in the horrors in Gaza,\u201d the letter read. It also outlines that children in Gaza are starving, while adequate medicine and food \u201csit just minutes away\u201d.<\/p>\n Famous figures from the music world who signed the letter include Dua Lipa, Primal Scream, Massive Attack<\/a>,\u00a0Paloma Faith<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Annie Lennox<\/a>. Names from the world of television and film include director\u00a0Danny Boyle<\/a>,\u00a0Game Of Thrones<\/a>\u00a0star\u00a0Lena Headey<\/a>,\u00a0Bridgerton<\/a>\u2019s Nicola Coughlan, Benedict Cumberbatch,\u00a0Riz Ahmed<\/a>, Maxine Peake,\u00a0Tilda Swinton<\/a>, Dermot O\u2019Leary, Gary Lineker, Laura Whitmore and more.<\/p>\n On July 10, Starmer\u00a0responded to the letter, saying the UK Government has \u201cmade it clear to the Government of Israel that the level of human suffering in Gaza is intolerable.\u201d He added: \u201cIt is also wholly inadequate that the Government of Israel is only allowing a basic He added that the UK \u201chas been clear that if Israel does not halt the renewed military offensive and lift its restrictions on humanitarian aid, we will implement additional decisive measures in response.\u201d<\/p>\n Yesterday (July 31), Choose Love issued a response to Starmer, saying his reply \u201cdoes not meet the urgency or clarity this moment demands,\u201d adding: \u201cWe need actions not words.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPrime Minister, you\u2019ve built your career as a human rights lawyer, defending the powerless and challenging injustice,\u201d the letter continues. \u201cIn years to come, when you are asked whether you have done enough, what will you say?\u201d<\/p>\n The letter goes on to ask Starmer when the government will stop all military cooperation with the Government of Israel.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is a moment that demands moral clarity and political courage,\u201d they write. \u201cPrime Minister, we appeal to your conscience and to the sense of justice and humanity that drew you to public service. We urge you to end the UK\u2019s complicity, uphold your legal and moral obligations, and act now to save lives.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe suffering is worse than ever. How can we all watch the bodies of starving You can read their full response here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Artist Tracey Emin also signed the initial letter, alongside model Lily Cole, activist Munroe Bergdorf and Holocaust survivor Stephen Kapos.<\/p>\n The Prime Minister has been under increasing pressure from his most senior cabinet ministers and more than a third of MPs to take action on Gaza amid the international outcry over severe malnutrition among the civilian population.<\/p>\n Earlier this week, he announced that the UK intends to recognise Palestinian statehood in September, unless Israel meets a number of conditions in the coming months, including agreeing to a ceasefire in Gaza and reviving the prospect of a two-state solution.<\/p>\n Israel, which controls the entry of all supplies to Gaza, has denied there is starvation in Gaza and rejected accusations of being responsible for food shortages.<\/p>\n It has has been carrying out a full-scale military campaign on occupied Gaza in the nearly-two-years since the\u00a0October 2023 attack by Hamas at the Israeli music festival Supernova,<\/a>\u00a0where 1,195 people were killed.<\/p>\n The\u00a0UN has found Israel\u2019s military actions to be consistent with genocide<\/a>, and at least 59,821 people have been killed in Gaza since then, according to the territory\u2019s Hamas-run health ministry.<\/p>\n The state of Israel strongly denies accusations of genocide and war crimes.<\/p>\n Earlier this week, musicians Paul Weller<\/a>,\u00a0Primal Scream<\/a>,\u00a0Inhaler<\/a> and more\u00a0announced for a new \u2018Gig For Gaza\u2019 live event in London<\/a>.<\/p>\n The event, described as a \u201cspecial night of music and solidarity\u201d, will take place on Friday October 17 at the historic TROXY venue in London. It comes in a bid to raise funds for those affected by the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
quantity of food into Gaza.\u201d<\/p>\n
Palestinians \u2014 children with protruding ribs, infants too weak to cry? We need actions, not
more words,\u201d it continues. \u201cWhat are the immediate and substantive \u201cdecisive measures\u201d you will take \u2014 and when will they be enforced?\u201d<\/p>\n