A group of 71 British lawmakers and peers from multiple parties have urged the UK government to impose sanctions on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Justice Minister Yariv Levin. In a letter to Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, they cited systematic and well-documented abuse of Palestinian civilians by Israeli forces. The letter, led by Labour MP Neil Duncan-Jordan, included signatures from 30 Labour MPs and seven members of the House of Lords.

The lawmakers argued that previous sanctions on Israeli ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich had little effect on Israel’s treatment of Palestinian detainees, and that impunity had worsened the situation. They referenced a UN report describing torture, forced displacement, and deprivation as part of Israel’s control over Palestinians. The letter also mentioned Netanyahu’s praise for the withdrawal of a rape case against Israeli soldiers and the detention of British citizens during the blockade of a Gaza-bound aid flotilla.

A UK Foreign Office spokesperson called reports of prisoner mistreatment “deeply shameful” and urged Israel to allow Red Cross access to Palestinian detainees and investigate all torture allegations.