Report on the UK Government’s Response to the Gaza Conflict and Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction

Despite widespread public appeals, parliamentary interventions, and mass protests, the UK government’s response to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza remains unchanged. The ongoing conflict, supported by British arms sales, continues to result in significant civilian casualties, including children. This report examines the UK government’s actions, the impact on civil liberties, and the broader implications for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to peace, justice, human rights, and global partnerships.

Government Inaction and Public Demand

1. Strong public and parliamentary calls for an immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire in Gaza have not influenced government policy.
2. Government ministers have condemned Israel’s actions but have not altered support, continuing arms sales and military cooperation.
3. Public opinion polls consistently show a demand to stop arming Israel, reflecting the SDG 16 commitment to peace, justice, and strong institutions.

Impact on Civil Liberties and Peaceful Protest

• The proscription of non-violent groups such as Palestine Action under the Terrorism Act threatens fundamental rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, undermining SDG 16.
• Legislation including the Terrorism Act 2000 and the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 has expanded police powers, leading to suppression of lawful protests and reduced accountability.
• Peaceful activists face criminalization for supporting humanitarian causes, which conflicts with SDG 10 on reducing inequalities and promoting inclusive societies.

Influence of Arms Industry and Political Lobbying

1. Key arms manufacturers such as Lockheed Martin UK and Elbit Systems maintain operations and government contracts, facilitating continued military support to Israel.
2. The UK government’s “F-35 exemption” allows parts sales to Israel via the US, despite suspensions on other weapons exports, raising concerns about complicity in conflict-related human rights violations.
3. High-level meetings between government officials and arms company executives demonstrate the influence of vested interests over humanitarian considerations, challenging SDG 17’s call for effective global partnerships.

Legal and Ethical Considerations

• The definition of terrorism under UK law includes “serious damage to property,” yet non-violent actions such as spraying red paint on military equipment are disproportionately labeled as terrorism.
• This approach risks deepening government complicity in alleged war crimes and undermines the rule of law and human rights protections central to SDG 16.
• Smear campaigns linking activists to foreign entities serve to intimidate dissent and restrict democratic freedoms.

Policing and Protester Treatment

1. Recent protests have seen aggressive policing tactics, including kettling and mass arrests, limiting the right to peaceful assembly.
2. Individuals, including public figures, have faced legal threats and prolonged investigations without subsequent charges, indicating a climate of intimidation.
3. These actions contravene SDG 16’s objectives to promote peaceful and inclusive societies and ensure access to justice for all.

Community Solidarity and Opposition to Injustice

• Protests attract diverse participants from various faiths, ages, and ethnicities, united in opposition to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
• Jewish communities actively oppose the violence and government policies, emphasizing compassion and human rights.
• This solidarity aligns with SDG 10’s focus on reducing inequalities and fostering inclusive societies.

Conclusion and Call to Action

The ongoing UK government support for military actions in Gaza, coupled with the suppression of peaceful protest, presents significant challenges to achieving Sustainable Development Goals related to peace, justice, human rights, and global cooperation. There is a pressing need for the government to reconsider its policies, uphold civil liberties, and align its actions with the SDGs to promote a just and peaceful resolution to the conflict.

• Author: Juliet Stevenson, Award-winning actor
• If you wish to submit a response of up to 300 words for publication consideration, please click here.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • The article discusses issues related to civil liberties, freedom of expression, peaceful protest, government accountability, and the use of laws such as the Terrorism Act and Public Order Act. These relate directly to SDG 16’s focus on promoting peaceful and inclusive societies, access to justice, and accountable institutions.
2. SDG 2: Zero Hunger
   • The article highlights Israel’s starvation of Palestinians in Gaza, which connects to the goal of ending hunger and ensuring food security.
3. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • References to the killing of children, injuries, and the creation of child amputees in Gaza relate to health and well-being issues.
4. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • The article addresses discrimination, repression of dissent, and the impact on marginalized groups such as Palestinians, which ties into reducing inequalities within and among countries.
5. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • Mentions of international arms deals and government relationships with arms manufacturers imply the need for responsible partnerships and international cooperation.

2. Specific Targets Under Identified SDGs

1. SDG 16
   • Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.
   • Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children.
   • Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.
   • Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels.
   • Target 16.10: Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms, in accordance with national legislation and international agreements.
2. SDG 2
   • Target 2.1: End hunger and ensure access by all people to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round.
3. SDG 3
   • Target 3.2: End preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age.
   • Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including access to quality essential health-care services.
4. SDG 10
   • Target 10.3: Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices.
5. SDG 17
   • Target 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. SDG 16 Indicators
   • Indicator 16.1.1: Number of victims of intentional homicide per 100,000 population, by sex and age.
   • Indicator 16.2.1: Proportion of children aged 1-17 years who experienced any physical punishment and/or psychological aggression by caregivers in the past month.
   • Indicator 16.3.1: Proportion of victims of violence in the previous 12 months who reported their victimization to competent authorities or other officially recognized conflict resolution mechanisms.
   • Indicator 16.10.1: Number of verified cases of killing, kidnapping, enforced disappearance, arbitrary detention and torture of journalists, associated media personnel, trade unionists and human rights advocates in the previous 12 months.
   • Indicators related to freedom of peaceful assembly and protest, implied by the discussion of police actions and protest restrictions.
2. SDG 2 Indicator
   • Indicator 2.1.1: Prevalence of undernourishment.
3. SDG 3 Indicators
   • Indicator 3.2.1: Under-five mortality rate.
   • Indicator 3.8.1: Coverage of essential health services.
4. SDG 10 Indicator
   • Indicator 10.3.1: Proportion of population reporting having personally felt discriminated against or harassed within the previous 12 months on the basis of a ground of discrimination prohibited by international human rights law.
5. SDG 17 Indicator
   • Indicator 17.16.1: Number of countries reporting progress in multi-stakeholder development effectiveness monitoring frameworks that support the achievement of the sustainable development goals.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: theguardian.com