Jeremy Corbyn

Jeremy Corbyn has backed fresh calls for an independent inquiry into the UK’s role in Israel’s atrocities in Gaza. The former Labour leader is supporting a parliamentary petition calling for a probe into “any British involvement in Israeli operations” in the enclave, “including the sale, supply or use of weapons, surveillance aircraft and Royal Air Force bases.” The petition, launched last week by trade unionist and Your Party organiser Jennifer Forbes, has amassed over 20,000 signatures. “We believe the UK has played a vital role in Israeli military operations in Gaza,” it reads. It calls for a “fully independent” inquiry that would have the power to “question government ministers and officials involved in decision-making processes” about weapons sales, intelligence gathering and the use of RAF bases. It would also seek to establish what legal advice was sought by the government “in assessing whether a genocide has taken place in Gaza.” Andy Burnham’s government last week rejected Corbyn’s call for an inquiry, arguing an investigation was unnecessary due to the “extensive mechanisms already available for parliamentary accountability and oversight”. In response, Corbyn wrote on Instagram: “If the government has nothing to hide, then why block our efforts to expose the truth?” Because the petition has already passed the threshold of 10,000 signatures, the government must now give a formal response. If it reaches 100,000 signatures it can be debated in parliament. In June, MPs debated Israeli influence on British politics after more than 118,000 people signed a petition calling for an inquiry. Ayoub Khan, Independent MP for Birmingham Perry Barr, was among those who backed the earlier petition. “With every decision this government has made, it’s not only reasonable to ask questions about political influence in Britain, it’s necessary,” he said.