Jeremy Corbyn has demanded a Chilcot-style inquiry into Britain’s role in Israel’s war in Gaza.
The Chilcot inquiry was set up by Gordon Brown in 2009 to “learn the lessons” of the Iraq war, with public hearings taking place until February 2011. The much-delayed report was not published until 2016, laying the main culpability for Britain’s role in the war on Sir Tony Blair.
Now, the former Labour leader has written to Sir Keir Starmer demanding an independent inquiry into the conflict in the Middle East that was started in response to the October 7 Hamas terror attacks on Israel.
Corbyn wrote: “Today I have called for a Chilcot-style inquiry into the UK’s involvement in Israel’s assault on Gaza. Our concerns have routinely been met with evasion and silence. We need a full, public, independent inquiry with the legal power to establish the truth.”
He attached the full letter (below).
In it he writes: ““Transparency and accountability are cornerstones of democracy. Therefore, I will be working with colleagues in pursuing all avenues to establish an independent, public inquiry into the UK’s involvement in Israel’s military assault in Gaza.”
“Many people believe the government has taken decisions that have implicated officials in the gravest breaches of international law, these charges will not go away until there is a comprehensive inquiry with the legal power to establish the truth.”
Earlier this week he wrote: “Israel has chosen to mark the first days of Ramadan by blocking humanitarian aid to Gaza. Still, our government refuses to implement sanctions and defend international law. There is no other way of putting it: this is a resumption of genocide — and our government is complicit.”
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