Two thirds of Brits want Keir Starmer to end arms sales to Israel, poll shows

Almost two thirds of Brits believe the UK should suspend all arms sales to Israel, while 60% think a trade deal between the two nations should be suspended, polling shows.

Keir Starmer is under mounting pressure to ramp up measures in response to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Polling by Global Justice Now found 65% would support a ban on selling weapons until attacks on Gaza end, with just 11% in opposition.

And more than six out of ten said they would support sanctions against the Israeli government. The PM yesterday told MPs that Israel's recent actions are "appalling" but refused to accuse Benjamin Netanyahu's regime of genocide.

He said the Government and its allies would "keep looking at further action" including sanctions. Tim Bierley, campaigner at Global Justice Now said: “As Israel erases Gaza before our eyes, today’s polling makes clear that across all regions, age and income groups, the British public wants our government to take far stronger action against Israel’s genocidal attacks.

"Just as the UK has placed comprehensive sanctions on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, it must urgently exert meaningful pressure on Israel."

Hundreds of protesters surrounded Parliament during PMQs demanding an end to arms sales to Israel. Last month the Government suspended free trade agreement talks in response to Israel's latest operation in Gaza.

The PM said at PMQs: "I've said that we are strongly opposed and appalled by Israel's recent actions, and have been absolutely clear in condemning them and calling them out, whether that's the expansion of military operations, settler violence, or the dreadful blocking of aid, is completely unacceptable.

"We must see a ceasefire, hostages must be released, and there must be aid into Gaza." Israeli forces have admitted opening fire as people headed to an aid distribution centre in Rafah, with health authorities, the Red Cross and UN officials saying 27 people were killed on Tuesday.

::Yonder Consulting polled over 2,100 people between May 28 and 29::