Alwaght- British protestors have announced a campaign that will see them encouraging people to avoid paying taxes over London assistance to the Israeli genocidal war on Gaza.
The No Tax For Genocide campaign group seeks to convince thousands of people to “legally withhold their council and income tax” and suggests that paying tax in Britain while the government supports Israel’s war is illegal under laws going back to 1861.
The group, led by former adviser to President Biden, Ashish Prashar, must first receive 100,000 pledges. It will then launch a “day of action” when thousands will write to HMRC. The group estimates this will deprive the Treasury of some £700m, according to the Telegraph.
"Taxpayers are committing a crime when they pay tax. This is an opportunity for people not to be complicit and demand an immediate ceasefire," Prashar told the Telegraph.
“Right now you’re committing a crime as an individual when you pay your tax. You’re aiding and abetting genocide,” he added.
Elsewhere in his remarks, Prashar said that once launched, the campaign website would provide forms and guidance on simplifying the process of non-payment.
“They’re using the money you have to veto ceasefires, to continue these atrocities, to provide political cover. You’ve elected these individuals, you fund their ability to do their jobs, you're culpable. As the British public, do you want to be culpable?” he further said.
No Tax For Genocide campaign says those boycotting taxes can legally keep hold of the money indefinitely until their demands that London ends its complicity in the genocide of the Palestinian people are met.
Campaigners argued that local authorities are a legitimate target because a large proportion of council expenses is ultimately handed back to central government in the form of salaries, PAYE and National Insurance.
The British Foreign Minister Rishi Sunak flew to Tel Aviv on October 18 to voice support to Netanyahu in his brutal war on Gaza civilians.
London also deployed warships to the Red Sea to defend Israeli interests against Yemen’s Ansarullah that has been implementing a naval blockade against Israeli regime in solidarity with Gaza since the beginning of war.
In December, the Human Rights Watch wrote to the British government calling for it to stop arms transfer to the Israeli regime as the weapons were used to massacre the Palestinians in clear war crimes.
"UK Government should immediately suspend arms transfers while the Israel Defense Forces continue to carry out widespread serious violations including war crimes, with impunity. Failure to do so risks the UK Government breaching its own laws and international obligations and being complicit in grave abuses," part of the letter read.
There have been rallies across the country over the past five months in most Saturdays calling for the government to stop funding and arms to Tel Aviv. However, the British government does not seem it is changing its attitude towards Israeli massacres in Gaza as it continues to support Tel Aviv with its airstrikes on Yemen.
