In an interview with the Electronic Intifada, journalist and author Peter Oborne discusses his new book, "Complicit: Britain's Role in the Destruction of Gaza." Oborne argues that Britain’s entire political establishment—including the Conservative, Labour, and Reform parties—is deeply complicit through unequivocal political, military, and diplomatic support for Israel. He details the UK's provision of arms sales and surveillance intelligence, which he asserts violates British law. Oborne contrasts the current unwavering support with a past era when leaders like Margaret Thatcher were willing to condemn Israel's violations of international law, attributing this shift to the rise of neoconservatism and a policy of aligning with the United States. A significant focus of the discussion is the role of the British media, which Oborne accuses of systematically dehumanizing Palestinians, ignoring their casualties, and excluding critical expert voices like Avi Shlaim and Ilan Pappé, while erasing the existence and immense sacrifices of Palestinian journalists in Gaza.
Unpacking British Complicity in the Gaza Genocide
0:00:36 - "Complicit": A Critique of a Failing State: Peter Oborne introduces his new book, which examines Britain's complicity in the destruction of Gaza. He argues that this complicity reveals a broader crisis in British public life, including dishonest media, a morally bankrupt foreign policy, and a corrupt political system manipulated by special interests.
0:01:55 - Unified Political Support for Israel: Oborne highlights that all major British political parties provided "unequivocal support" and "cart blanche" to Israel following October 7, 2023. This support included visits from then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and military deployments of a Royal Navy task force and surveillance aircraft to the region.
0:07:32 - Military and Diplomatic Complicity: The discussion details the UK's material support for Israel, including licensing £488 million in arms sales between 2015 and 2023. This is considered an underestimate. Oborne also points to British surveillance flights operating from Cyprus and the UK's role in blocking early UN ceasefire resolutions, arguing these actions breach British law against arming nations that violate international humanitarian law.
0:11:05 - A Stark Historical Contrast: Oborne notes that past British governments, even conservative ones, were willing to hold Israel accountable. He cites Margaret Thatcher, who condemned Israeli "barbarism" after the Sabra and Shatila massacre, canceled arms sales, and emphasized the importance of international law.
0:15:56 - The Shift to Unconditional Support: This dramatic policy shift is attributed to two key developments: the rise of neoconservatism and Britain's decision under Tony Blair to remain in "lockstep" with US foreign policy, and the growing influence of the pro-Israel lobby within the British political establishment.
0:20:04 - A Democratic Deficit: Oborne asserts that it is impossible to "vote against genocide in the UK" because all major political parties, including the far-right Reform party and agitators like Tommy Robinson, share the same pro-Israel foreign policy consensus.
0:22:11 - The Media’s Role in Dehumanization: The complicity of the British media is a central theme. Oborne cites research showing how the term "deadliest day" was used over 850 times to describe Israeli deaths but not once for Palestinian deaths. The media is accused of systematically ignoring or downplaying the mass killing of Palestinian civilians.
0:26:04 - Erasure of Critical Voices and Palestinian Journalists: Oborne condemns the exclusion of world-renowned, UK-based experts critical of Israel, such as Avi Shlaim and Ilan Pappé, from mainstream media like the BBC. He also highlights how Western officials and journalists falsely claim there are "no journalists in Gaza," thereby erasing the work and sacrifice of hundreds of Palestinian journalists targeted and killed while reporting.
0:32:05 - A Wider Western Phenomenon: While the book focuses on the UK, the discussion notes that this complicity is a pattern across the West, driven by alignment with the US and, particularly in Germany's case, a lingering sense of post-Holocaust obligation.
0:40:04 - Honoring the Real Journalists: The interview concludes by praising the heroic and essential work of alternative media, some Israeli outlets like +972 Magazine and Haaretz, and above all, the Palestinian journalists in Gaza who risk everything to report the truth.