CARLISLE'S Palestine Solidarity group has launched a petition calling on the Foreign Office to end the transfer of military equipment and personnel to Israel, in line with their weekly vigils in the city centre. 

The campaign cites concerns that these resources may enable breaches of international humanitarian law and human rights.

Elaborating on the concerns, the group has highlighted details provided by Campaign Against the Arms Trade.

The campaign states that the UK provides 15 per cent of the components in the F35 stealth combat aircraft that are currently being used in the bombardment of Gaza.

A spokesperson for the group said: “Under international law,  an individual is complicit in genocide if they have engaged in actions whose foreseeable results may have contributed to genocide, but without the personal intent to commit genocide themselves.

"We are asking the Foreign Office to use foresight to prevent genocide, and to prevent UK representatives facing their own case in the Hague," they said. 

The petition was unveiled at the group's film screening event of Gaza fights for Freedom.

The documentary looks to shed light on the Great March of Return in 2018 and the military response against peaceful protestors.

After the film, attendees were shown a video that illustrated the magnitude of current events with the names of 11,500 children claimed by the bombings.

"Starting with newborns and listing each child up to age 17, it took 7 minutes for the names to roll across the screen.

"Even at the time of the screening, the list was out of date with a further 800 child fatalities," a spokesperson said. 

The evening managed to raise over £130 for Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP).

The group's next film screening, Advocate, will take place on Friday, March 15 at the Church of Scotland on Chapel Street. 

The film narrates the journey of Lea Tsemel, an Israeli defending the rights of Palestinians before Israel's dual court system.

Members of the public are being invited to the event, with donations to MAP also being welcomed on the night. 

The group's next vigil will be held on Saturday, February 24 in Carlisle's City Centre.