In London, numerous prominent business leaders in the United Kingdom, including a former adviser to the monarch and sustainability experts, are calling for the government to take action against Israel in light of the intensifying crisis in Gaza. As of Thursday, 762 individuals have endorsed a letter advocating for Britain to halt all arms trade with Israel and impose sanctions on those accused of breaching international law, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court for alleged war crimes in Gaza.
The letter also promotes investing in measures to prevent UK funding of companies deemed complicit in the violence and calls for the enforcement of United Nations principles regarding business and human rights throughout the UK’s economic systems. Those supporting the letter argue that it is not only a moral duty but also a professional responsibility to act in the interest of long-term societal and economic durability.
Among the signatories of the letter are notable figures such as former royal adviser Jonathon Porritt CBE; sustainability consultant Adam Garfunkel; Frieda Gormley, the founder of luxury interior design brand House of Hackney; prominent philanthropist Paul Polman; and Geetie Singh-Watson MBE, an organic food entrepreneur. These individuals, including others who have been recognized with the Member of the British Empire (MBE) award, have committed to a collaborative effort with the UK government to promote peace, human rights, and the upholding of international law.
Adam Garfunkel, whose family was affected by the Holocaust, emphasized the importance of businesses acknowledging their role in advocating for fair treatment of all people and upholding human rights, wherever they are threatened. The current conflict in Gaza, which has caused significant loss of life and is described as genocide by leading human rights organizations, is seen by these business leaders as a clear reason for action.
The business leaders are now working to review and adjust their operations, supply chains, and financial investments to help support peace efforts and protect human rights, emphasizing that businesses cannot thrive in societies that are in disarray.
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/8/21/moral-imperative-hundreds-of-uk-business-leaders-demand-action-on-israel?traffic_source=rss
