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**Summary:**

Over 700 UK-based entrepreneurs and professionals, including prominent figures like a former royal advisor and business leaders, have signed a statement urging the British government to take decisive action against Israel amidst the escalating crisis in Gaza. The signatories are calling for an arms embargo, sanctions against individuals accused of violating international law (including Prime Minister Netanyahu), stricter financial scrutiny to prevent UK funding of complicit companies, and the enforcement of UN principles on business and human rights. They argue that these measures are both a moral imperative and a matter of professional responsibility for long-term societal and economic stability. The signatories express concern about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and its impact on human rights, drawing parallels with historical injustices and emphasizing the importance of ethical business practices in conflict zones.

**News Article:**

**UK Business Leaders Demand Arms Embargo and Sanctions Against Israel Amid Gaza Crisis**

**London, UK** – In a significant move reflecting growing international concern over the situation in Gaza, a coalition of over 700 prominent business leaders and professionals in the United Kingdom has issued a powerful call for the government to impose an arms embargo on Israel and enact sanctions against those accused of violating international law.

The signatories, including Jonathon Porritt CBE, a former advisor to the King on environmental matters, sustainability consultant Adam Garfunkel, and influential business figures like Paul Polman (ex-Unilever) and Frieda Gormley (House of Hackney) argue that the escalating crisis demands immediate action. Their open letter urges the UK government to cease all arms trade with Israel, sanction individuals like Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (who faces potential arrest by the ICC), and rigorously screen financial flows to prevent UK investment in companies complicit in human rights violations.

“We see this not only as a moral imperative, but as a matter of professional responsibility,” the letter states. “The UK must ensure that no business is contributing to these atrocities.”

The move comes as the situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, with an impending invasion of Gaza City and widespread reports of famine. Signatories point to the heavy civilian death toll and the alleged violation of international law as justification for their demands.

Adam Garfunkel, whose family was affected by the Holocaust, emphasized the importance of upholding human rights for all. “Persecution on the basis of ethnic identity is always wrong, wherever it happens,” he said.

Jonathon Porritt, a longtime advocate for sustainable development, said the situation constituted “a genocide against the people of Palestine, of Gaza.” He was recently arrested at a rally in support of Palestine Action.

The growing support for the initiative underscores the increasing pressure on the UK government to take a more proactive stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and raises serious questions about the ethical implications of business ties with conflict zones.

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