The UK parliament has passed a bill introduced by former Labour leader and now independent MP Jeremy Corbyn, calling for a full public inquiry into Britain’s involvement in Israel’s military operations in Gaza.
The bill, presented under the Ten-Minute Rule immediately after Prime Minister’s Questions, demands an independent investigation into the military, political, and economic support the UK has provided to Israel since October 2023.
Co-sponsored by 40 MPs across Labour, the Greens, SNP, Plaid Cymru, and independents, Corbyn's motion seeks transparency and the authority to question current and former ministers over the UK’s alleged complicity in "crimes against humanity".
While Ten-Minute Rule Bills rarely become law, this initiative forces both Labour frontbench and the government to publicly state their positions on the UK's role in supporting Israel’s offensive and sparks debate over Britain's legal obligations.
Corbyn told The New Arab that the world had witnessed nearly two years of horrific suffering in Gaza, stressing that Israel's indiscriminate attacks were supported by military, economic, and political backing from governments around the globe.
"For 20 months, humanity has witnessed horrors that should haunt us forever. Israel's war crimes against Palestinians have not been committed alone. They are enabled by military, economic, and political support from governments worldwide," he said.
"Democracy demands transparency and accountability. The public deserves to know the full extent of Britain’s complicity. The government must decide: support this inquiry or block the truth," he added.
Highlighting continued arms supplies, Corbyn said: "Many remain disgusted by continued supplies of F-35 components. The government admits to exceptions in its partial arms suspension. Does this break its legal duties to prevent genocide? One thing’s certain: the UK still arms a state whose leader is wanted by the ICC for crimes against humanity."
'Gaza's inhumanity will haunt us'
The bill follows a tense Commons session in which Foreign Office Minister Hamish Falconer denied direct arms sales to Israel - a claim Corbyn challenged, citing British components used in Israeli F-35 jets. Falconer described recent Palestinian deaths at aid sites in Gaza as "deeply disturbing" and criticised Israel’s new aid delivery methods as "inhumane".
Pressure is mounting on the government to follow countries like France in recognising Palestine at the upcoming UN conference, though Falconer only confirmed ongoing talks with allies.
Labour leader Keir Starmer, while condemning Israel’s Gaza actions and calling for humanitarian access, is expected to distance himself from Corbyn’s bill. Labour whips have reportedly told MPs to abstain or vote against it to avoid reopening party divisions linked to Corbyn’s suspension over alleged antisemitism - a charge he denies.
Many on Labour's left remain frustrated by what they see as the party's muted stance on UK arms exports to Israel. Co-sponsor Brian Leishman called Britain "complicit in the genocide perpetrated by Netanyahu’s government" and insisted the public deserves to know the UK's role in the attempted extermination of Palestinians.
The bill's passage to debate was triggered when two Conservative MPs unusually shouted "no" during its introduction, forcing a full vote and recording every MP’s stance.
Though unlikely to become law, the vote serves as a key test of parliamentary sentiment on arms exports and the UK’s complicity in Israel's war on Gaza, which has been described by leading rights groups and experts as genocide.
Outside Westminster, thousands dressed in red formed a "Red Line" human chain protest, organised by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, symbolising Palestinian bloodshed and demanding a total arms embargo on Israel.
Green Party co-leader and MP Sian Berry, who joined the protest, said: "We back Jeremy Corbyn’s bill and any parliamentary efforts to end the war. It is vital the government abides by international law to stop genocide in Gaza."
Public support grows, with a new Opinium poll showing 57 percent of Britons support a full arms ban on Israel, 53 percent want Israel expelled from the UN, and 50 percent favour boycotting Israeli goods in UK shops.