Key facts
- Save the Children UK accused Prime Minister Keir Starmer of complicity in Israeli atrocities against Palestinians.
- The charity cited the UK's continued supply of arms to Israel.
- Over 80 British politicians have called for comprehensive sanctions on Israel, citing an ICJ ruling.
- Save the Children posted a mocked-up blue plaque on X stating Starmer witnessed 73,000 Palestinian deaths and continued to supply arms.
- The Foreign Office contacted Save the Children to demand an explanation for the post.
- A coalition of 17 humanitarian organizations, including Save the Children, urged incoming Prime Minister Andy Burnham to take decisive action on Gaza.
The charity Save the Children has drawn criticism from the UK government after posting on social media that Prime Minister Keir Starmer was complicit in the deaths of thousands of civilians in the Israel-Gaza war. The organization posted a mocked-up blue plaque stating: “History will not forget complicity. Keir Starmer witnessed 73,000 Palestinians killed by Israeli forces, including 21,000 children, and kept supplying arms to Israel.”
Starmer’s government had placed some restrictions on arms sales to Israel in 2024 but did not implement a complete suspension. The post had garnered over 300,000 views by Wednesday afternoon. Gaza’s health ministry reported that more than 73,000 Palestinians have died since the conflict began on October 7, 2023, including 1,000 who died since a ceasefire in October.
Officials from the Foreign Office reportedly contacted Save the Children shortly after the post went live to request an explanation. Tensions were reportedly heightened by the fact that the government provides a significant portion of the charity’s funding, estimated at around £114 million since the start of 2024. A government source suggested the post could increase anxiety among MPs already concerned about their security.
Save the Children is part of a coalition of 17 humanitarian organizations that issued a joint statement calling on incoming Prime Minister Andy Burnham to take decisive action on Gaza and the occupied West Bank. Their demands include the complete suspension of arms sales to Israel and the imposition of trade sanctions until alleged breaches of international law cease. The group also wants the government to publish its response to the International Court of Justice’s advisory opinion on aid provision in Gaza and set out a clear timetable for implementing its recommendations.
Liz Bradshaw, senior conflict and humanitarian advocacy adviser at Save the Children UK, stated that Palestinian children have endured devastating consequences of violence and destruction, and leaders must act decisively to protect them and uphold international law. George Graham, executive director of global impact at Save the Children, added that the campaign highlights the government's legacy of inaction and complicity, falling short of UK's moral and legal obligations, and urged the incoming government to end complicity by suspending all arms sales to Israel. UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper defended the government’s record on Gaza, noting the suspension of trade deal negotiations and sanctions on Israeli cabinet members.