Thousands of people formed a human chain around the UK Parliament on Wednesday, demanding an immediate halt to the government’s arms exports to Israel.
The demonstrators, dressed in red to symbolize the blood of Palestinians killed by Israeli forces, called on the government of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to end its support for the Tel Aviv regime.
By continuing arms exports to Israel, they said, Starmer’s government would be “crossing the red line.”
Several lawmakers, including John McDonnell and Jeremy Corbyn, also joined the protesters.
The demonstrations— organised by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC)— coincided with a parliamentary debate on a bill introduced by Corbyn, which calls for a full, public, and independent inquiry into the UK’s involvement in Israel’s devastating war on Gaza.
Speaking to the New Arab, a London-based pan-Arab news outlet, Corbyn expressed hope that the bill would gain enough support to pass.
He also said that many lawmakers “remain disgusted by the continued supply of components for the F-35 fighter jet program.”
Corbyn warned that the government’s “exceptions” to the suspension may breach its legal obligations under international law.
“One thing is clear,” he said, “This government still supplies weapons to a state whose leader is wanted by the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity.”
Green Party co-leader and MP Sian Berry, who also joined the protest, told the the New Arab that it is “vital that the government listens and complies with international law to prevent genocide in Gaza.”
“This includes imposing sanctions, banning arms exports, and withdrawing investments.”
The UK government has admitted to making “exceptions” to its partial suspension of arms export licenses to Israel, specifically allowing the continued shipment of components for F-35 fighter jets, citing their importance to NATO operations and broader international security.
The exemption has drawn sharp criticism from rights groups and lawmakers, who say the move undermines the suspension and implicates Britain in Israel’s ongoing genocidal war on Gaza.
A recent Opinium Research poll, published Wednesday for the PSC revealed widespread public backing for an arms embargo on Israel, sanctions against Israeli officials, boycotts of Israeli goods in major retailers, and Israel’s removal from the United Nations.
The survey showed that 57% of respondents support a full arms embargo on Israel, 53% favor expelling Israel from the UN, and half of those surveyed are in favor of boycotting Israeli products altogether.
The Palestine Solidarity Campaign urged the UK government to heed public opinion and take decisive action against Israel.
“It is time for our government to listen to the British people and punish Israel now,” it said.
A case in the UK High Court raised serious concerns in May that Britain may be complicit in Israel’s genocide in Gaza, as it continues to supply weapons and military components—most notably for F-35 fighter jets—used in attacks that have killed tens of thousands of Palestinians.
