UK mercenaries serving abroad - should be illegal.

GrannyGravy13

M0nica

This would also cover involvment in secret and clandestine operations. The results, should anyone be captured, are far too serious for serving members of the defence forces to be involved in any such operations.

When U.K. forces go into countries under cover they do so with no identification whatsoever.

They know what, why and the consequences as do their families.

Precisely.

who are the terrorists now

Claremont, I do not identify the Isreali government or the actions of its military as terrorist. I am horrified by its attacks on Palestinian people, the bombing, the shooting of adults and children waiting for food aid, the constant demands that Palestinian people move from one area to another. We await the official legal definition of war crimes, though it seems the majority view is that war crimes are being committed.

Hamas is a terrorist group.

Diplomacy is the only possible way to the dream of a two state solution.

M0nica

This would also cover involvment in secret and clandestine operations. The results, should anyone be captured, are far too serious for serving members of the defence forces to be involved in any such operations.

When U.K. forces go into countries under cover they do so with no identification whatsoever.

They know what, why and the consequences as do their families.

My understanding is that the Geneva Conventions simply define mercenaries as not eligible for prisoner of war status.

This would also cover involvment in secret and clandestine operations. The results, should anyone be captured, are far too serious for serving members of the defence forces to be involved in any such operations.

Thanks M0nica

It does worry me that such false information can be posted on social media. It's foolish and dangerous.

David49

Allira

David49

“British soldiers, not serving soldiers, have been fighting and have been killed in Ukraine.”

There probably have been British, US and other serving personnel fighting front line in Ukraine but nobody is going to admit it.

There are not.

To post such a thing might put lives in danger.

That’s the official story and they are sticking to it

The British army has been involved in the Ukraine from before the war started, but not in a combat situation.

They have been involved in primarily training Ukraine soldiers.

The full story can be read here en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Orbital .

Serving British army members would absolutely not be involved in military operations because if this was so it would be construed as Britain - or any other country getting directly involved in the war and under the rules of warfare, the Russians could consider Briatin and those connected with it to be officially at war with Russia with all that that would mean.

Oreo

If they were fighting against the IDF then they would be fighting for hamas and yes, would be prosecuted for joining a terrorist organisation if they couldn’t manage to easily slip back into the UK.

and here is the problem- it is the Palestinians who are attacked by the IDF, and civilians who are lsoing their lives, due to bombing, shooting and starving- and the world calls it, quite rightly, a genocide, and war crimes. Who are the terrorists now?

Do you know people who work in the MOD, then, David49, and the Head of the Armed Services?

I doubt they would divulge such information to a civilian.

Allira

David49

“British soldiers, not serving soldiers, have been fighting and have been killed in Ukraine.”

There probably have been British, US and other serving personnel fighting front line in Ukraine but nobody is going to admit it.

There are not.

To post such a thing might put lives in danger.

That’s the official story and they are sticking to it

If they were fighting against the IDF then they would be fighting for hamas and yes, would be prosecuted for joining a terrorist organisation if they couldn’t manage to easily slip back into the UK.

How do you know this Allira? Genuine question.

So I agree, I used of the word 'mercenaries' incorrectly.

So what should we call them?

There is concern that British citizens are participating in war crimes in Gaza, the West Bank and illegal settlements. And it is clear that on return they are liable for prosecution like any other.

Concerns too about the hypocrisy of allowing British citizens to fight in Israel, whereas they would be called and treated as terrorist if they thought for Palestine.

youtu.be/gZd_1fu9rYg?feature=shared

David49

“British soldiers, not serving soldiers, have been fighting and have been killed in Ukraine.”

There probably have been British, US and other serving personnel fighting front line in Ukraine but nobody is going to admit it.

There are not.

To post such a thing might put lives in danger.

Allira

David49

Allira

So UK citizens should be free to choose to support Hamas then, or at least, Palestinians

It was my understanding that they do already.
And, of course, in Syria and Afghansitan but I'm sure you must have known that already.

I cannot tell you if any are fighting with the Russians against Ukraine.

Probably not but the principles are the same a government or a terrorist organization

The question asked if UK citizens should be free to choose to support Hamas then, or at least, Palestinians

Are many not already supporting Palestinians, if not fighting then giving aid there or protesting here in the UK?
Is that not supporting Palestinians? 🤔

That is totally different, I am sure you are aware.

I am not talking about British soldiers, I am talking about British citizens, dual citizens, or not dual citizens- who have chosen to go and fight with the IDF, for ideological, religious or other reasons.

“British soldiers, not serving soldiers, have been fighting and have been killed in Ukraine.”

There probably have been British, US and other serving personnel fighting front line in Ukraine but nobody is going to admit it.

David49

Allira

So UK citizens should be free to choose to support Hamas then, or at least, Palestinians

It was my understanding that they do already.
And, of course, in Syria and Afghansitan but I'm sure you must have known that already.

I cannot tell you if any are fighting with the Russians against Ukraine.

Probably not but the principles are the same a government or a terrorist organization

British soldiers, not serving soldiers, have been fighting and have been killed in Ukraine.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jan/10/the-britons-killed-fighting-for-ukraine-against-russia

It's been happening for centuries.

British mercenary soldiers fight in many other conflicts too, including Southern Sudan and the DRC. They are in the main anonymous and their fate often goes unknown. They know the risks and would not expect any protection from the British government.
Some do it for the sense of adventure, some for idealism.

David49

Allira

So UK citizens should be free to choose to support Hamas then, or at least, Palestinians

It was my understanding that they do already.
And, of course, in Syria and Afghansitan but I'm sure you must have known that already.

I cannot tell you if any are fighting with the Russians against Ukraine.

Probably not but the principles are the same a government or a terrorist organization

The question asked if UK citizens should be free to choose to support Hamas then, or at least, Palestinians

Are many not already supporting Palestinians, if not fighting then giving aid there or protesting here in the UK?
Is that not supporting Palestinians? 🤔

Allira

^So UK citizens should be free to choose to support Hamas then, or at least, Palestinians^

It was my understanding that they do already.
And, of course, in Syria and Afghansitan but I'm sure you must have known that already.

I cannot tell you if any are fighting with the Russians against Ukraine.

Probably not but the principles are the same a government or a terrorist organization

So UK citizens should be free to choose to support Hamas then, or at least, Palestinians

It was my understanding that they do already.
And, of course, in Syria and Afghansitan but I'm sure you must have known that already.

I cannot tell you if any are fighting with the Russians against Ukraine.

''war crimes. The Israeli government is responsible for them.” Former Israeli PM Ehud Olmert says Israelis are committing “daily atrocities” in the occupied West Bank, with full knowledge of the government, police and army.''

As was declared at the Nuremberg Tribunals- following orders was never, and never will be, an exemption for answering to committing war crimes.

Allira

^Michael Mansfield^

He's an advocate for human rights and civil liberties but not for the right of people to choose whom they support then?

So UK citizens should be free to choose to support Hamas then, or at least, Palestinians. Or Syrians, Afghans, Russians?

One thing is clear however- they will not be immune to prosecution for war crimes.

Bringing up sentences uttered by randoms won’t make what they say true or legal.

Michael Mansfield

He's an advocate for human rights and civil liberties but not for the right of people to choose whom they support then?