More than three-quarters of Labour members want the government to suspend all arms exports to Israel amid the… The post Three-quarters of members want government to suspend Israel arms sales appeared first on LabourList.
More than three-quarters of Labour members want the government to suspend all arms exports to Israel amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Polling conducted by Survation for Save the Children, Christian Aid and Medical Aid for Palestinians found 78 percent of members would support an arms embargo on the country, including parts for F-35 fighter jets.
A majority would also back banning trade with illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank and Gaza (87 percent) and suspending the UK-Israel trade agreement (68 percent).
The poll also found dissatisfaction with the government’s current approach to Palestine among the Labour membership, with 62 percent disapproving, while less than one in five (19 percent) approve.
Support for the government’s position varied based on members’ vote in the deputy leadership election; while three-quarters (76 percent) of Lucy Powell supporters oppose their approach, Bridget Phillipson backers are more evenly divided – with 36 percent supporting the government’s stance and 37 percent opposed.
Amid discussion about an impending leadership contest, 58 percent of members said the approach towards Palestine would be important in how they might vote in such a ballot, while 41 percent said their stance would not be important in who they back.
Emma Burnell, editor of LabourList, said: “The war in Gaza and the horrific humanitarian crisis we have seen as a result is something that Labour members feel a deep sense of horror at. The idea that the UK is – or should – play any part in prolonging this or supporting Isreal’s offensive actions is anathema to a large majority of Labour members.
“There are going to be some among our opponents who will try to conflate this feeling among members with the antisemitism crisis that Labour went through in recent memory. They shouldn’t.
“Just as British Jews cannot and should not be blamed for the actions of the Israeli state, the converse must also hold true. We must be able to separate deep discomfort with the actions of the Netanyahu government from any notion that this discomfort stems from malevolent – rather than humanitarian – instincts on the part of Labour members.”
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.
“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.”
Survation surveyed 1,036 readers of LabourList, the leading dedicated newsletter and news and comment website for Labour supporters, who also said they were Labour Party members between May 22 and 26.
Data was weighted to the profile of party members by age, sex, region, 2020 leadership vote and 2025 deputy leadership vote. Targets for weighting were drawn from the British Election Study and the results of the leadership and deputy elections.
Become a friend of LabourList and join our community. Our friends support our vital non-factional work and get access to exclusive content and events.
Subscribe here to our daily newsletter roundup of Labour news, analysis and comment– and follow us on TikTok, Bluesky, WhatsApp, X and Facebook. You can also write to our editor to share your thoughts on our stories and share your own. The best letters are published every Sunday.
-
- SHARE: If you have anything to share that we should be looking into or publishing about this story – or any other topic involving Labour– contact us (strictly anonymously if you wish) at [email protected].
- SUBSCRIBE: Sign up to LabourList’s morning email here for the best briefing on everything Labour, every weekday morning.
- BECOME A FRIEND: If you enjoyed this, why not consider becoming a Friend of LabourList? Help sustain our journalism, and of course Friends do get benefits…
- PARTNER: If you or your organisation might be interested in partnering with us on sponsored events or projects, email [email protected].
- ADVERTISE: If your organisation would like to advertise or run sponsored pieces on LabourList‘s daily newsletter or website, contact our exclusive ad partners Total Politics at [email protected].
The post Three-quarters of members want government to suspend Israel arms sales appeared first on LabourList.
