Benedict Cumberbatch, Annie Lennox, Gary Lineker and Dua Lipa have joined more than 300 public figures calling on the prime minister to “end the UK’s complicity” in Gaza.
In an open letter addressed to Sir Keir Starmer, seen exclusively by Sky News, famous names from the world of media and the arts have joined leading doctors, academics, campaign groups, and a Holocaust survivor.
They have accused the British government of continuing to allow UK arms to be sold to Israel and to providing licences for arms.
The letter, led by refugee charity Choose Love, demands an immediate suspension of all UK arms sales to Israel, immediate humanitarian access for experienced aid agencies, and urges the government to commit to brokering a ceasefire for “the children of Gaza”.
In September 2024, the UK suspended 30 arms licences from about 350 involved in items that go to Israel.
Last week, Sir Keir joined the French and Canadian leaders to warn Israel they will take “concrete actions” if it continues an “egregious” expansion of military operations in Gaza.
The PM also told MPs last week the level of suffering in Gaza, especially among innocent children, was “intolerable” and called Israel’s decision to allow a small amount of aid in “utterly inadequate”.
The letter says: “We urge you to take immediate action to end the UK’s complicity in the horrors in Gaza.”
It says children in Gaza are starving while food and medicine “sit just minutes away” in reference to Israel’s 11-week blockade of food and other supplies into Gaza, which was lifted last week.
A new foundation backed by Israel and the US has set up an aid distribution site this week, but the UN has rejected the system as it says it cannot meet the needs of Gaza’s 2.1 million people.
The UN, which has warned the population is facing catastrophic levels of hunger, said it believes 47 people were injured on Tuesday when crowds overwhelmed the aid distribution centre, but Israel said its troops only fired “warning shots” into the air.
Among the famous people to put their names to the letter are singers Dua Lipa, Annie Lennox, Paloma Faith, Massive Attack and Primal Scream.
Actors include Benedict Cumberbatch, Riz Ahmed, Game of Thrones actress Lena Headey, Tilda Swinton, Maxine Peake, Marvel actress Zawe Ashton, Bridgerton actress Nicola Coughlan, and director Danny Boyle.
TV stars include Dermot O’Leary, Gary Lineker, Chicken Shop Date creator Amelia Dimoldenberg, and presenter Laura Whitmore.
Lineker finished his 26-year stint as Match of the Day presenter this week, after apologising for sharing a social media post from the Palestine Lobby group titled: “Zionism explained in two minutes.”
The Instagram post was illustrated with a rat, which has been used to represent Jewish people in antisemitic propaganda – including Nazi Germany.
Lineker “apologised unreservedly” for sharing it, saying he was unaware of the reference and it was a mistake. He maintained the importance of “speaking out on humanitarian issues, including the tragedy unfolding in Gaza”.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Photographer and activist Misan Harriman, writer, model and activist Munroe Bergdorf, artist Tracey Emin and model Lily Cole have also signed the letter.
Holocaust survivor Stephen Kapos has signed the letter, which says 71,000 children under four years old are “acutely malnourished” and they “cry until they can’t cry anymore – until hunger takes even their voices”.
It says they wake up to bombs falling on them, “violence stamped with UK inaction – flown with parts shipped from British factories to Israel”.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
The letter warns Sir Keir: “You can’t call it ‘intolerable’, yet do nothing.
“The world is watching and history will not forget. The children of Gaza cannot wait another minute.
“Prime minister, what will you choose? Complicity in war crimes, or the courage to act?”
Be the first to get Breaking News
Install the Sky News app for free
The letter comes just days after 828 UK-based or qualified legal experts, among them former Supreme Court justices, signed a letter to Sir Keir warning “genocide is being perpetrated in Gaza”.
Israel has repeatedly denied that it is committing genocide in Gaza.
Listen to The World with Richard Engel and Yalda Hakim every Wednesday
A government spokesperson said: “We strongly oppose the expansion of military operations in Gaza and call on the Israeli Government to cease its offensive and immediately allow for unfettered access to humanitarian aid.
“The denial of essential humanitarian assistance to the civilian population in Gaza is unacceptable and risks breaching International Humanitarian Law.
“Last year, we suspended export licences to Israel for items used in military operations in Gaza and continue to refuse licences for military goods that could be used by Israel in the current conflict.
“We urge all parties to urgently agree a ceasefire agreement and work towards a permanent and sustainable peace.”
