Palestinians take legal action against BP supplying fuel to Israel
Palestinians in the UK have taken BP to court, claiming the oil company has enabled the supply of fuel used by the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) in its war within the Gaza strip.
The Palestinians, who are victims of the war in Gaza, sent an official “letter before claim” to the oil giant, as reported by Middle East Monitor via The Guardian on December 23rd.
The Palestinians have said that the company has “breached its own commitments to human rights under international law.”
The oil is provided by Azerbaijan, but “BP owns and operates the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline, which runs through Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey, from where the oil is then transported by ship,” The Guardian reports. The Guardian also reports that the pipeline makes up “28% of Israel’s crude oil supply.” The pipeline, stretches across 1,770km the Middle East Eye reports.
The Guardian stated that “Oil supplies are critical for Israel’s military operation.”
The signatories said in there letter: “Israel relies heavily on crude oil and refined petroleum imports to run its large fleet of fighter jets, tanks and other military vehicles and operations, as well as the bulldozers implicated in clearing Palestinian homes and olive groves to make way for unlawful Israeli settlements.”
“Some fuel from refineries goes directly to the armed forces, while much of the rest appears to go to ordinary gas stations where military personnel can refuel their vehicles under a government contract.”
In the letter, the Palestinians have also said the company has “violated the UN guiding principles on business and human rights, as well as the prohibition of complicity in war crimes and crimes against humanity under customary international law and obligations under its own policies, which require BP to avoid contributing to human rights abuses.”
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Tayab Ali, head of international law at Bindmans law firm and director at the International Centre of Justice for Palestinians (ICJP), said: “This legal action marks a new phase in accountability for those that are complicit in alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity. The evidence against BP demonstrates a clear failure to adhere to its own human rights policies and international law.” The ICJP and the law firm are reportedly both working with the Palestinians.
Ali added: “By facilitating the transport of oil that fuels military operations in Gaza, BP has contributed to the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in the region. Our clients seek justice for the profound suffering and loss they have endured and call on BP to act responsibly by immediately halting its involvement.”
The Guardian reports that the lead claimants in the letter are Palestinians who are victims of the war in Gaza. This includes a British-Palestinian, whose relatives in Gaza have either died or been displaced. In some cases, these fatalities were reportedly caused by a “lack of access to medical care and essential supplies.” It also includes a British-Palestinian who lost 16 family members due to Israeli airstrikes and whose remaining family in Gaza face appalling “humanitarian conditions.” Other claimants include people who have faced life-changing physical and psychological experiences, such as the death of family members and amputations.
According to The Guardian, the oil company did not respond to requests for a comment.
Middle East Eye also requested a comment from BP, but did receive one by the time its story about the legal action was published.
At least 45,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to the Palestinian health ministry’s official toll.
The Middle East Monitor reported via The Guardian, that a UN investigation found that Israel has committed war crimes in Gaza since October 7th.
Middle East Eye reported via the World Food Programme, that Israel has intensified its siege on the northern governorate in Gaza in recent months, in which 97% of aid requests for Beit Hanoon, Beit Lahiya, and Jabalia have been denied.
On December 19th, nine Palestinian Americans filed a lawsuit against the US government, alleging that the country failed to free them or their relatives who were in Gaza, as reported by Asharq Al-Awsat via Reuters.
On December 17th, five Palestinians from the West Bank, Gaza and the US filed a lawsuit against the US government to stop the country from providing aid to the Israeli military, according to Al Jazeera.
Middle East Monitor, The Guardian, Middle East Monitor, Asharq Al-Awsat, Reuters, Al Jazeera, World Food Programme.
