A coalition of UK lawyers and a London-based human rights organisation has formally submitted a request calling on the British government to impose sanctions on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, citing allegations of incitement to genocide, grave human rights violations, and unlawful military conduct against Palestinians in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.
The request was filed on Tuesday with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) by prominent British law firm Deighton Pierce Glynn, acting on behalf of the Arab Organisation for Human Rights UK (AOHR UK).
Call for Targeted Financial and Travel Sanctions
According to the submission, AOHR UK is urging the UK government to apply targeted financial sanctions and travel bans against Netanyahu under Britain’s existing human rights and sanctions frameworks.
The organisation argues that there are “reasonable grounds” to designate Netanyahu for sanctions due to:
- Alleged incitement to violence and genocide
- Responsibility for unlawful military operations in Gaza
- Oversight of illegal Israeli settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank
As Israel’s highest-ranking political authority, the submission asserts that Netanyahu bears direct responsibility for policies and military actions carried out under his leadership.
Allegations of Genocidal Rhetoric and Incitement
A central element of the sanctions request focuses on Netanyahu’s public statements, including remarks that the NGO describes as “religiously framed genocidal rhetoric”.
The filing references Netanyahu’s use of biblical imagery, including references to “Amalek”, a term historically associated in Jewish tradition with an enemy representing absolute evil. Human rights groups argue that far-right Israeli figures have used the term to dehumanise Palestinians and justify mass violence.
The submission also highlights Netanyahu’s repeated rejection of Palestinian statehood, which it claims forms part of a broader policy framework denying Palestinians their right to self-determination.
Gaza Death Toll and Humanitarian Catastrophe
The sanctions request is set against the backdrop of the devastating human toll of Israel’s war on Gaza.
According to Gaza’s Health Ministry:
- At least 71,551 Palestinians have been killed
- More than 171,372 people have been wounded
since Israel launched its military campaign in October 2023.
Human rights organisations, UN agencies, and international medical groups have repeatedly warned of catastrophic humanitarian conditions, including mass displacement, food shortages, destruction of civilian infrastructure, and the collapse of Gaza’s healthcare system.
UN and International Legal Findings Cited
The submission references findings by a United Nations inquiry, which last year concluded that statements by Netanyahu and other senior Israeli officials amounted to incitement to commit genocide during the Gaza war.
In addition, the filing notes that:
- The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants in November 2023 for Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity
- Israel is currently facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), brought by South Africa, over its conduct in Gaza
These ongoing legal proceedings, the NGO argues, further strengthen the case for UK sanctions.
West Bank Settlements Also Highlighted
Beyond Gaza, the submission also points to Netanyahu’s longstanding role in expanding Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank — settlements considered illegal under international law and repeatedly condemned by the UK government.
AOHR UK argues that sanctions are justified not only for actions in Gaza, but also for:
- Entrenching occupation
- Enabling settler violence
- Undermining prospects for a Palestinian state
Human Rights Group: Accountability Must Reach the Prime Minister
Mohammed Jamil, chairman of AOHR UK, said it was no longer credible for the UK to sanction Israeli ministers while excluding the prime minister himself.
“The UK has already acknowledged that senior Israeli officials have promoted serious abuses of Palestinian rights,” Jamil said, referring to Britain’s sanctions imposed last year on far-right Israeli ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir.
“It is no longer credible to sanction ministers while exempting the prime minister who authorises, endorses, and directs the policies in question. Accountability cannot stop short of the highest office.”
UK’s Position on Israel Under Scrutiny
The sanctions request places renewed pressure on the UK government, which has largely supported Israel diplomatically and militarily throughout the Gaza war.
While Britain has:
- Recognised a Palestinian state
- Criticised settlement expansion
- Sanctioned individual Israeli ministers
It has stopped short of formally describing Israel’s actions in Gaza as genocide.
Human rights advocates argue that this position is increasingly out of step with international legal findings and public opinion, particularly as civilian casualties continue to rise.
What Happens Next?
The UK government is not legally required to act on the request, but it must review the submission under its sanctions regime. If accepted, the measures could include:
- Freezing any UK-based assets linked to Netanyahu
- Restricting his ability to travel to the UK
- Sending a strong diplomatic signal regarding accountability for alleged international crimes
Legal experts note that while unprecedented, such sanctions would be legally permissible under UK law if ministers determine the threshold has been met.
Conclusion: A Test of UK Commitment to Human Rights Law
The sanctions request against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu represents one of the most significant legal challenges yet to the UK’s stance on Israel’s war in Gaza.
As international courts, UN bodies, and human rights groups intensify scrutiny of Israel’s actions, the British government now faces a crucial decision: whether to align its sanctions policy with its stated commitment to international law, accountability, and human rights, or continue shielding Israel’s top leadership from consequences.
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