Skip to main content
Donate to the 95 years appeal
Government refuses to answer MPs' questions on Gaza genocide
Former Labour Party leader and now independent MP Jeremy Corbyn speaks at a London rally for Palestine, September 11, 2024

FORMER Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn MP has criticised the government for “making no attempt” to answer MPs’ questions over its complicity in the Gaza genocide.

A five-strong pro-Palestine group of MPs, forming the Independent Alliance parliamentary group, has asked for the government’s definition of genocide, what advice it has received over its applicability in Gaza and what it was doing to fulfil its legal obligations to prevent genocide.

In letters sent to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Foreign Secretary David Lammy and the Attorney General Richard Hermer, they also asked whether RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus, is being used as a route for weapons to be deployed in Gaza and what legal advice the government has received over its use to support Israeli military operations.

Replying to Mr Corbyn two months after the letters were sent, Middle East minister Hamish Falconer did not address the questions.

His two-page letter said: “This is a crucial time for the region. Much remains to be done – to implement all phases of the [ceasefire] deal in full  and establish a pathway to lasting peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians alike.”

Mr Corbyn shared a copy of The Independent Alliance’s written response to Mr Falconer on social media.

It said: “We are extremely disappointed that you’ve made no attempt whatsoever to answer any of these questions.

“Politicians should be transparent with those they’re elected to serve.

“Your stock, generic response about the announcement of a ceasefire is woefully insufficient.

“It remains unknown whether the government has refused to seek legal advice over the definition of genocide, or whether the legal advice it has received is at direct odds with the statement the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary have made.”

They added that it is “particularly concerning” that the government failed to provide any detail on how it has met its obligations to prevent genocide.

“We say again: we deserve to know the full scale of our government’s complicity and participation in genocide,” it added.

Mr Corbyn said: “The government is still refusing to answer our questions about its definition of genocide, the legal advice it has received, and the use of RAF Akrotiri.

“What does the government have to hide?”

The Foreign Office has been approached for comment.

The 95th Anniversary Appeal
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
Similar stories
Mourners attend the funeral of members of Al-Aimawi family who were killed in an Israeli bombardment of Al-Zawaideh, at Al-Aqsa Hospital morgue in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, on Tuesday, July 1, 2025
British Foreign Policy / 3 July 2025
3 July 2025

Just as the Chilcot inquiry eventually exposed government failings over the Iraq war, a full independent investigation into British complicity in Israeli war crimes has become inevitable — despite official obstruction, writes JEREMY CORBYN MP

Former Labour Party leader and now Independent MP Jeremy Cor
Britain / 9 April 2025
9 April 2025