SHAH ALAM - Echoing global concern over the ongoing crisis in Palestine, an online petition was launched on Nov 1, demanding the immediate arrest of United Kingdom Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
The petition, addressed to Scotland Yard, asserts that Sunak's unwavering support for actions by the Israeli occupation in Palestine is a cause for alarm and calls for accountability.
"The world is witnessing the biggest humanitarian crisis since the holocaust. The Palestinian people are being subjected to the worst bombardment ever seen by any of us and war crimes are reportedly being committed on an unprecedented scale.
"Whilst Amnesty international amongst other international charities and countries have declared Israel as committing war crimes and breaching International law as well as the Geneva Convention, the UK Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, is providing unwavering support to these actions,” the description wrote.
The petition argues that Sunak’s stance contradicts the condemnation voiced by international bodies, raising concerns about the lack of intervention from influential leaders. The petition initiator, known only as "ZB,” highlights the urgency of the situation, stating that Palestinian families were being wiped out by continuous attacks, while hospitals and refugee camps face horrific bombings.
The call for Sunak's arrest has been framed as a demand for justice, aiming to hold leaders accountable for their actions and complicity in what has been described as ethnic cleansing and genocide. The petition emphasises that Sunak's alleged actions not only violate basic human rights but also undermine global peace efforts, urging concerned citizens worldwide to unite in demanding accountability and justice for the Palestinian people.
"For 75 years now, Palestinian people have been subjected to brutal force and occupation by what many perceive as a Zionist regime. At this moment of time a whole ethnic cleansing and genocide is happening.
"It's alarming that such atrocities continue unabated while world leaders like Mr Sunak seemingly condone them through their silence or active support. It's time we demand accountability from those who hold positions of power and influence.
"I call upon all concerned citizens around the world to join me in demanding the immediate arrest of Rishi Sunak for his alleged complicity in these war crimes. His actions not only violate basic human rights but also undermine global peace efforts,” it said.
As of Nov 13, a total of 27,800 have signed the petition.
Among the signatories is Michael Briggs who wrote: "To not support a ceasefire and to continue to supply arms to Israel is to be complicit in war crimes against the wishes of the great majority of the UK public” as a reason for signing.
Jabeen Roberts meanwhile said Sunak does not deliver or hold the morals and views of the UK public and that he and his family were complicit in investing and supporting war crimes. "I do not want my taxes used to kill babies and spread hate across the world, he dies not promote or stand for world peace. We the public did not vote him in!” he added.
Sunak on Saturday condemned the "violent, wholly unacceptable” scenes by far-right groups who tried to ambush a pro-Palestine rally in central London, saying that the "despicable actions of a minority of people undermine those who have chosen to express their views peacefully.” He also slammed the pro-Palestine protesters by calling them "Hamas sympathisers”.
On Oct 19, Sunak went on a two-day visit to Israel and the region to demonstrate British backing for the Israeli government, call for de-escalation of the conflict and press for humanitarian aid to be allowed into Gaza. He met the Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu where Sunak announced that he was proud to stand with the Israeli leader in "Israel’s darkest hour.” Sunak added that Britain "will stand with you in solidarity, we will stand with your people and we also want you to win”.