British artists call for an end to arms sales to Israel.

In a remarkable humanitarian gesture, more than 300 figures from the UK arts and culture world, including renowned actor Benedict Cumberbatch and singer Dua Lipa, signed an open letter calling on British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to suspend arms sales to Israel and contribute to an urgent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. Get the latest celebrity ads directly on the Special app, where we show you everything new from international stars.

Calls to end British complicity in the war on Gaza

The letter, which was also co-signed by prominent artists such as Riz Ahmed, Tilda Swinton, and Annie Lennox, called on the British government to "take immediate action to end complicity in the crimes committed in Gaza," referring to the ongoing Israeli military operations that began on October 7, 2023.

Systematic famine and forced displacement in Gaza

According to United Nations reports, Israel is pursuing a systematic starvation policy against the population of Gaza, depriving approximately 2.4 million Palestinians of food and humanitarian aid due to the closure of crossings since early March. These policies, according to international organizations, are paving the way for mass forced displacement.

Urgent calls to stop the massacres against civilians

The signed letter called for an immediate suspension of all UK arms export licenses to Israel, ensuring unimpeded access for humanitarian organizations to Gaza, and stressing the need to negotiate a permanent ceasefire and end the famine threatening the lives of children and women.

"Words are not enough." A call to action from human rights activists.

“Words won't save the lives of children being killed, nor fill their hungry stomachs,” said Josie Naughton, co-founder of Choose Love, which launched the initiative. “We need real action from Keir Starmer now.”

British political reactions and freezing agreements with Israel In response to the situation, the British government suspended negotiations on a free trade agreement with Israel and recalled Tel Aviv's ambassador to London. Britain had previously frozen approximately 30 arms export licenses to Israel in September 2024, due to concerns that they would be used in violations of international law.

Legal demands to stop support for Israeli fighters

NGOs in Britain are seeking to expand the ban to include locally manufactured spare parts used in the US F-35 fighter jets carrying out airstrikes on Gaza.

Broad solidarity from European writers and intellectuals

Reactions were not limited to the United Kingdom. Some 380 writers from Britain and Ireland, including Zadie Smith and Ian McEwan, signed a statement condemning the genocide in Gaza, calling for immediate aid distribution and a ceasefire. Enjoy interesting and useful content with an exclusive podcast that provides you with everything you need to know in just a few minutes via the Special app.

300 French-speaking writers also participated in a similar initiative, including two Nobel Prize winners in Literature, Annie Ernaux and Jean-Marie Gustave Le Clézio.