UK: Thousands form human chain around parliament demanding arms embargo on Israel

Thousands gathered on Wednesday to form a human chain around the UK parliament, demanding immediate sanctions against Israel and a complete halt to arms exports amid its ongoing war on Gaza.

The demonstrators linked hands, wearing red to symbolise the blood of Palestinians killed by Israeli forces since October 2023. The protest condemned the UK government's support for Israel, declaring it a "crossing of the red line".

The demonstration coincided with parliament's debate on a bill introduced by independent MP Jeremy Corbyn calling for a full, public, and independent inquiry into the UK’s role in Israel’s military offensive in Gaza.

In comments to The New Arab, Corbyn expressed hope for sufficient support to pass the bill, stating: "Many of us remain disgusted by the continued supply of components for the F-35 fighter jet programme."

He added: "I am shocked the government openly admits to making ‘exceptions’ to its partial suspension. Does this breach its legal obligations to prevent genocide? One thing is clear: 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 joined the protest with fellow party members, told The New Arab: "We support Corbyn’s bill and any parliamentary efforts to end the war. 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."

A poll by Opinium Research, released on Wednesday for the UK Palestine Solidarity Campaign, the organisers of Wednesday's protest, showed strong public support for an arms trade ban, sanctions on Israeli ministers, boycotting Israeli goods in major stores, and expelling Israel from the United Nations.

The poll found that 57 percent support a total arms embargo on Israel, 53 percent back expelling Israel from the UN, and 50 percent favour boycotting all Israeli products.

"It is time for our government to listen to the British people and punish Israel now," the campaign said in a statement.

In the past few weeks, there have been multiple protests around the UK parliament in Westminster demanding an arms embargo on Israel. Earlier this week, activists gathered and read the names of thousands of Palestinians who have been killed in the ongoing Israeli campaign against Gaza. The event lasted 18 hours and included participation by British artists such as actor-comedian Steve Coogan and actress Juliet Stevenson.

Separately, Steve Weatherden, MP for Montgomeryshire and Glyndŵr, held a parliamentary debate on Monday evening on British arms sales to Israel, calling on the government to suspend all arms exports.

During the debate, Weatherden described Gaza as a "slaughterhouse" and accused the UK government of allowing arms to flow to Israel despite its genocidal actions.

He also criticised the lack of transparency regarding the volume of British military exports to Israel, especially components for the F-35 fighter jet programme, urging ministers to clarify the conditions that would halt further exports.

Last week, more than 800 lawyers, academics, and retired senior judges, including former Supreme Court judges, wrote to the UK government calling for sanctions on the Israeli government and its ministers, and for suspension of Israel’s UN membership to uphold "basic international legal obligations".

Since the start of Israel's war on Gaza, Israel has killed over 61,700 Palestinians and devastated entire neighbourhoods of the Strip. The war has wreaked havoc on the Strip's healthcare sector, with most of the enclave's health centres and hospitals now fully destroyed or partially functioning. 

Leading international rights groups, including Amnesty International, have determined the war to be a genocide.