By Jc Reporter

Copyright thejc

Hundreds of children’s authors, illustrators and educators, including Michael Morpurgo and Chris Riddell, have signed their name to a letter calling on the UK government to recognise what they claim is a “genocide” in Gaza and to lift the ban on Palestine Action. The writers – both of whom are former Children’s Laureates and have for decades been firm favourites for millions of young readers in the UK and abroad – are among more than 500 children’s authors, illustrators and educators to put their name to the statement expressing their “outrage” at what they called “the genocide in Gaza” and the “absurdity” of the Palestine Action ban. Other notable signatories include the current UK Children’s Laureate, Frank Cottrell-Boyce, and Lauren Child and Michael Rosen, both of whom have previously held this role. Cottrell-Boyce’s Irish counterpart, Patricia Forde is also a signatory, along with all her predecessors since the role was established in Ireland in 2010. Murpurgo, whose bestselling novels include War Horse and Kensuke’s Kingdom, was knighted in 2018 and has sold tens of millions of books worldwide, while illustrator and writer Riddell, who was awarded an OBE in 2019, is known for works such as The Graveyard Book and The Sleeper and the Spindle. The letter reads: “We are outraged at the killing of over 19,000 children in Gaza, the thousands more who are injured and orphaned, and the starvation and humanitarian crisis that Israel is inflicting on them. “We feel compelled to speak out in their defence. We are horrified by the persistent failure of the international community to stop the genocide and hold its perpetrators accountable.” Referencing recent proscription of the group Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation, the letter continues: “We are also deeply concerned at efforts to curb protest and restrict free expression. The decision by the UK government to brand a non-violent direct action group, Palestine Action, as ‘terrorists’ is absurd. “As individuals committed to defending the freedom to write, speak, and protest without fear, we view this development with particular alarm. “If we cannot speak freely about the genocide of Palestinians, if we cannot condemn those who enable it and support those who resist it, the right to freedom of expression has no meaning. “We urge the government to lift the ban on Palestine Action.” The letter, which, does not mention October 7, Hamas or the hostages still being held captive by the terror group in Gaza after nearly two years, adds: “Every leading human rights organisation has recognised that this is a genocide. We urge the UK government to do the same and to meet its resulting legal obligations, including ending all military trade and other military cooperation with Israel.” The Israeli government has repeatedly strongly denied accusations its actions in Gaza constitute a genocide, arguing its military does not target civilians and that it is Hamas that is responsible for the suffering in Gaza. The statement was coordinated by Irish illustrator and author, Chris Haughton, and Joseph Nhan-O’Reilly, the co-founder and director of an education advocacy group, International Parliamentary Network for Education. Outside of publishing, the letter was also signed by Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the National Education Union (NEU) and Matt Wrack, general secretary of NASUWT, the Teachers’ Union.