On Wednesday, 12 November, the Court of Appeal in London rejected a request for an appeal by Al-Haq, an independent Palestinian non-governmental human rights organisation based in Ramallah, West Bank, and the Global Legal Action Network (GLAN) against a High Court ruling that dismissed their claim against the UK Government over its continued licensing of some arms sales to Israel.
Martin Butcher, Oxfam’s Peace, Conflict and IHL Policy Advisor, responded: “It is deeply shameful that the Court has today denied Al Haq’s appeal and prevented the UK Government from being held to account for its role in the genocide in Gaza.
“Oxfam previously provided evidence on how Israel has – in contravention of International Humanitarian Law - systematically used water as a weapon of war in Gaza, bombing vital water and sanitation infrastructure. Just one of the ways in which Israel has wreaked death and destruction upon the people of Gaza.
“The UK Government shouldn't wait for further court cases to do the right thing. It must immediately stop all current and new arms licenses to Israel. Only then can it say it is serious about maintaining a lasting ceasefire and justice for Palestine.”
Oxfam’s ‘Keir Starmer’ Big Head appeared outside the UK Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office placing a gift tag reading “More than 52,000 people killed” on a 16-foot replica MK-84 bomb marked “Complicit” on 12 May 2025, in London United Kingdom. The stunt highlights UK complicity in arms sales to Israel. Despite suspending some licences, the UK continues supplying components for F-35 jets used in Gaza. Oxfam is calling for a permanent and effective ceasefire and end to arms exports. (photo by Andy Aitchison)
