THE new Labour government’s calls for a ceasefire are meaningless while it continues to arm Israel, campaigners said today. 

Organisations including Al-Haq, Global Legal Action Network and Campaign Against Arms Trade have written to demand the government end its complicity in Israel’s genocidal attacks by stopping arms exports to the country.

It warned calls for a ceasefire are “evidently not enough” when Britain is helping arm the conflict — and repeated warnings that it is violating international law.

A study published in medical journal The Lancet has estimated that the number of Palestinians killed in Gaza could be as high as 186,000.

This is because the official toll of 38,000 does not include people buried under rubble, or killed indirectly through the destruction of health facilities, food distribution systems and other infrastructure.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy had previously called on his predecessor David Cameron to publish the government’s legal advice on continuing arms exports. 

Britain is legally obligated to halt supply if there is a clear risk the items might be used to commit or facilitate a serious violation of international humanitarian law. 

In a leaked recording from a Tory Party fundraiser in March, foreign affairs select committee chairwoman Alicia Kearns said the party had received legal advice that Israel has broken international law.

GLAN and Al-Haq are currently bringing a case against the previous government’s decision to continue sales.

They have also issued a legal letter to the current government, demanding it publish the legal advice, which Mr Lammy said should be made public.

GLAN lawyer Charlotte Andrews-Briscoe said: “The new Labour government’s calls for a ceasefire are meaningless while it continues to arm Israel. British weapons have killed too many Palestinians.

“This government knows that the only lawful and moral decision is to stop. 

“They also know that they have an obligation under the Genocide Convention to use every tool at their disposal to prevent the commission of genocide.”

CAAT media co-ordinator Emily Apple said: “Labour promised in its manifesto that it “would be a defender of international law.

“Now it needs to put that commitment into action by imposing an immediate arms embargo.

“For nine long months, the previous government prioritised arms dealers’ profits, ignored horrific war crimes, and treated Palestinian lives with contempt.

“There are no excuses. This has to change.”