Mum of British Royal Marine help employee killed in Gaza urges Andy Burnham to cease all arms gross sales to Israel

The mum of a British Royal Marine killed in Gaza while delivering food to desperate Palestinians has urged Andy Burnham to completely ban selling arms to Israel.

James ‘Jim’ Henderson, 33, was among seven humanitarian aid workers killed by an Israeli airstrike in Gaza, back in April 2024. The attack on the World Central Kitchen workers sent shockwaves around the world. The airstrike came just after they finished unloading more than 100 tonnes of food aid for starving Palestinians.

Three of the victims were British – Jim, as well as John Chapman, 57, and James Kirby, 47 – along with a Pole, an Australian and a Canadian. Israel later apologised for the ‘grave mistake’, but refused to launch a criminal investigation.

Jim’s mum, Trish, 67, told the Mirror it was time to stop engaging with Israel, ahead of the preliminary investigation into her son’s death on Monday.

She said: “Stop selling arms to Israel. Stop engaging with Israel. We are forever watching and finding out what’s going on in Gaza, and it’s just awful.”

In September 2024, the UK suspended about 30 arms export licenses to Israel, out of 350. The ban included items for drones, helicopters and military aircrafts.

Earlier this month, Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband confirmed the UK would go further, refusing all license applications for arms that materially contributed to the occupation in Palestine.

But, more than 130 legal experts later urged the Prime Minister to launch a full arms embargo on Israel. The experts, including 18 king’s counsel (KCs) wrote an open letter to the PM, saying sanctions on Israeli settlements in the West Bank “fall far short” of obligations under international law.

Stephen Doughty, Minister of State for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan, previously said he was appalled by Israel’s decision not to bring criminal action over the attacks.

He said last month: “For more than two years, we have pressed the Government of Israel to deliver the justice and accountability that the families deserve. This is not good enough. We have raised this with the Israeli authorities today and will continue to push for urgent answers.”

‘A special, special person’

Jim, from Falmouth in Cornwall, served in the Royal Marines for six years. He fought in Afghanistan, and was also sent to Ukraine during his years of service. It was his job to teach the local emergency services in Ukraine how to dress wounds caused by gunshots or shrapnel.

He and his fiancee Jacqui were saving for their wedding when he got the call about a potential humanitarian job in Gaza. With his Royal Marines background, he would be required to provide security for a World Central Kitchen convoy for a two-to-three-week period.

“He was at home when he got the call, and [the charity] wanted someone out there for a couple of weeks,” said Trish. “He was looking to get married, so he thought: ‘Oh, I’ll go, I’ll go’. It’ll be a little bit of extra money, and that was the work he loved doing. He was just happy doing that sort of work. He was a special, special person, really.”

Before leaving, he made a pact with Jacqui that he’d always message to say he was back from his daily excursions. They both knew the dangers he was heading into.

Jim arrived in Gaza on March 26 2024. He would be working alongside other aid workers to get food delivered to kitchens across Palestine.

Shortly after arriving, he messaged one of his friends saying he was shocked by what he saw on arrival. He wrote: “These poor people are f*****.”

Trish said: “Jim was a strong man; I think anybody doing that sort of job has to be strong. But the last time I spoke to him was Saturday March 30th, and you could see how strained he looked.”

‘That knock on the door’

On Day Six of Jim’s trip, he was assigned a job to help unload food aid brought to Gaza from Cyprus. He was part of a three-vehicle convoy, working with six other people; two of them Brits. Two of the vehicles were armoured, and clearly displayed the charity’s logo.

Shortly after leaving the Deir al-Balah warehouse, the convoy was hit by an Israeli airstrike. All seven aid workers were killed in the attack.

“Jim’s fiancee expected him to have messaged her at some point that night,” said Trish. “…He never messaged her.

“She woke up the next morning and phoned me to say she hadn’t heard from Jim. Then she saw on social media that seven aid workers had been killed in Gaza. We were trying to get hold of him… then there was that knock on the door.”

The family received the heartbreaking news at about 7am on April 2; the day after the attack. They were absolutely devastated, but equally confused, she said.

“It’s just been very hard to understand what happened. Humanitarian workers should not be targeted… but we all know what’s going on in Gaza.”

Shortly after the airstrikes, Israel said it had made a “grave mistake” and apologised. Prime Minster Benjamin Netanyahu said: “It happens in war. We will do everything so that this thing does not happen again.”

‘A thorough investigation’

Trish described her son as a “really kind, gentle, caring man”.

“Everyone that met Jim thought he was just a fantastic guy. Jim had friends all around the world, because he traveled everywhere. He was lovely.”

Jim’s family were hoping that Monday’s pre-inquest review would result in a full-scale inquiry into the deaths.

His dad, Neil Henderson, said: “We hope the coroner will carry out a thorough investigation into the attack that killed Jim and the others in the WCK convoy to include an exploration of all the issues relevant to his death, encompassing the decisions and policies leading to the attack, and what role, if any, UK authorities or military equipment originating from the UK may have played in the events of 1 April 2024.”

‘Shameful’

Meanwhile, last month the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it wasn’t launching a criminal investigating into the airstrikes. The IDF claimed it hadn’t been warned that an armed guard was travelling with the convoy. World Central Kitchen founder Jose Andres previously said the attack wasn’t a mistake at all, and that the convoy was targeted because the Israeli forces had been pre-warned about their movements.

The UK Government said it was “shameful” for Israel to not launch the criminal investigation. In a joint statement with the foreign ministries of Australia and Canada, it said the IDF announcing the decision on World Humanitarian Day was particularly egregious.

The statement read: “On 1 April 2024, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) fired on a World Central Kitchen convoy as it was delivering food to civilians in Gaza. In the more than two years since, we have been pressing for Israel to swiftly and thoroughly consider the case and hold those responsible to account.

“This decision is both too little, and too late. The victims of this incident and their families deserve justice and accountability, and we will continue to seek answers on their behalf.”

Jim’s mum Trish said it didn’t surprise the family that the IDF wasn’t pursuing the case.

She said: “Hopefully justice will be served by them or from us. It’s just a waiting game, really. A long waiting game.”

Two-and-a-half years later, Jim’s family remain dedicated to honouring his legacy. They’ve now committed to walking the Great Wall of China, and launched a GoFundMe to help with the campaign.

All of the money raised would go to a boxing club in Penryn, Cornwall; The Henderson Academy, which was named after Jim. The family said: “Through the academy, his legacy will continue to inspire young people in our community, give them hope to build their confidence and provide them with a place to belong.

“Your donations will help us provide the best opportunities for young people in our local community. All funds go to The Henderson Academy to keep the doors open and provide a safe space for young people.”

You can donate to the GoFundMe for the Henderson Academy here