The Shia Muslim Community are issuing this petition as constituents of Greater Manchester, deeply concerned with the ongoing occupation, apartheid and ethnic cleansing in Palestine.

This has culminated in the latest round of the massacre of civilian populations, starting with the theft of more homes in Sheikh Jarrah, attacks on worshippers in Masjid al-Aqsa and the collective punishment combing campaigns in Gaza.

Only international pressure can force the occupiers, known as the State of Israel, to uphold international law and basic human rights. The UK must lead the way in holding the State of Israel accountable through meaningful measures and so we write to seek clarification of your stance on the following points and what course of action you can raise with the Leader of the Opposition, Sir Kier Starmer MP and the UK Government to help bring justice to the Palestinian peoples.

The Shia Community of Manchester calls for the following five principles:

• The immediate implementation of UN Resolution 242 which calls for the State of Israel to withdraw of occupied territories East Jerusalem, Gaza, the West Bank, and the Golan Heights.
• The immediate implementation of UN Resolution 194 which gives legal right for refugees to return to their homes stating, “refugees wishing to return to their homes and live at peace with their neighbours should be permitted to do so at the earliest practicable date.”
• The immediate implementation of UN Resolution 3236 reaffirming the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, including the right to their independent State of Palestine.
• To immediately initiate steps to hold the State of Israel and its leadership accountable for its war crimes and crimes against humanity including the killings of civilians and children, the use of chemical weapons, bombing of schools, hospitals and civilian infrastructure. This extends to holding to account of those who supplied the State of Israel’s military, both politicians and corporations.
• The targeted implementation of Boycott, Sanctions and Divestment against all governments, politicians and corporations complicit in the State of Israel’s occupation.

We sincerely believe the Palestinian issue is a litmus test for humanity at large to finally end settler-colonialism and apartheid, and a measurement of morality and courage at an individual level. It is on this basis we are seeking unambiguous clarification of your position on the above five points and in the case that you agree with any of them, your plan for their support and implementation.