The invasion of Gaza by the Israeli army – which began on 27th December 2008 – has been a defining moment for Muslims in Britain. The events have served to mobilise Muslim civil society and redouble efforts to ensure Israel is brought to book for breaking international law – inflicting collective punishment on the civilians of Gaza ("No protected person may be punished for an offence he or she has not personally committed. Collective penalties and likewise all measures of intimidation or of terrorism are prohibited", Article 33, Geneva Convention, 'Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War'). Efforts are underway to initiate war trial proceedings, enforce an arms embargo, seek the recall of the British ambassador in Tel Aviv and strengthen academic and economic boycott initiatives - the lead being given by moves in Norway, where leading trade unions have endorsed a campaign for the withdrawal of all State investments in Israel.

A new coalition and network of organisations and activists is also emerging, in a similar manner to the turn of events after the Rushdie Affair and the Bosnian Crisis of the 1990s. Sections of the Jewish community have also found the actions of Israel and the loss of civilian life unacceptable, thus promising a basis for common ground.

Tragic and harrowing scenes were brought to our homes due to the courage of the reporters of a few media organisations - not the BBC. As Ann Clwyd MP noted in Parliament on 12th January 2009, "Were it not for al-Jazeera, we would see no pictures on television of the suffering and destruction taking place in Gaza at present"... More >>

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