Labour members overwhelmingly support ban on arms to Israel

New polling of Labour Party members shows they overwhelmingly oppose the UK selling arms to Israel. They also want an end to trade with Israel’s illegal settlements.

Over 60% are dissatisfied with the UK government’s response to Israel’s atrocities in the Occupied Palestinian Territories and want it to take stronger action.

This includes an 87% majority backing a ban on trade with illegal settlements, and a 78% majority backing the suspension of all UK arms exports to Israel. The poll also found over two-thirds support suspending the UK-Israel Trade and Partnership Agreement.

The polling, commissioned by Save the Children UK, Christian Aid, and Medical Aid for Palestinians as part of the Ally to Atrocities campaign, found that:

• 87% of Labour Party members support banning trade with illegal Israeli settlements, with 6% opposed.
• 78% support suspending all UK arms exports to Israel, including components for F-35 fighter jets, compared to 14% opposed.
• 68% support suspending the UK-Israel Trade and Partnership agreement, while 16% oppose.
• 62% are dissatisfied with the UK government’s current approach to the occupied Palestinian territory, compared to 19% satisfied.
• 58% say the UK government’s approach is important in their decision about who should lead the Labour Party.

Arms to Israel can’t carry on

The data comes amid continued attacks on Gaza despite the so-called “ceasefire” agreement. Israeli forces have killed 930 Palestinians since 10 October 2025, according to the Ministry of Health in Gaza, while humanitarian access remains heavily restricted.

Gaza’s healthcare system has been pushed beyond breaking point. Hospitals are facing severe shortages of medicines, equipment, and fuel while medical needs continue to soar.

With no hospital fully functioning in Gaza and aid still only trickling into Gaza, children continue to face alarming levels of malnutrition and disease. This is in spite of the humanitarian obligations in the ceasefire agreement.

In the illegally occupied West Bank, Israeli authorities are advancing the long-standing E1 settlement plan. It links a major settlement bloc to East Jerusalem and risks mass forced displacement.

This has long been a red line for successive UK governments. The foreign office last year called the expansion “a flagrant breach of international law”. However, ministers have so far failed to curb the aggressive expansion of these settlements.

Alison Griffin, head of conflict and humanitarian campaigns at Save the Children UK, said:

While children in Gaza continue to be killed, injured, displaced and denied access to the essentials they need to survive, the UK’s response has fallen far short of what it is morally and legally required to do.

The UK cannot claim to support international law while continuing policies that risk enabling violations of it. Nor can it continue to treat the unlawful occupation and illegal settlements as a diplomatic concern rather than a breach of international law requiring consequences.

Families have endured conditions no child should ever face, while political inaction allows the suffering to continue.

The government must suspend all arms exports to Israel, including F-35 components, ban trade with illegal settlements, suspend the UK-Israel Trade and Partnership Agreement, and ensure accountability for all violations of international law.

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Children and families cannot afford further delay. We are beyond statements of concern and weak, inadequate action—this moment demands an end to complicity and urgent, concrete steps.

Rohan Talbot, director of advocacy and campaigns at Medical Aid for Palestinians, said:

While Palestinians in Gaza continue to be killed, starved, displaced and denied lifesaving aid, the UK cannot keep responding with empty words while these atrocities continue with total impunity.

Every day without meaningful action means more lives lost, more children pushed into hunger, and hospitals stretched beyond breaking point.

These findings expose a widening gulf between the reality on the ground and the UK government’s response and should serve as a wake-up call for the government to take immediate action.

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The government must stop arms transfers to Israel, including parts for F-35 fighter jets, end trade with illegal settlements, and ensure accountability for violations of international law.

The Ally to Atrocities coalition is calling for urgent action from the UK government in response:

• Suspend all arms transfers to Israel, including parts for F-35 fighter jets.
• Ban trade with illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
• Suspend the UK-Israel Trade and Partnership Agreement.
• Hold all perpetrators accountable for violations of international law.

Featured image via Leon Neal / Getty Images

By The Canary

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