Hundreds of pro-Palestinian demonstrators rallied outside the Prime Minister’s office in Downing Street, London, on Wednesday night, calling for an end to UK arms sales to Israel due to its ongoing military operations in Gaza.
The demonstration was sparked by a recent Israeli airstrike on a “humanitarian safe zone” in southern Gaza, which resulted in the deaths of at least 40 civilians. Protesters, waving Palestinian flags and chanting slogans such as “stop the genocide” and “long live Gaza,” condemned the UK government’s continued arms exports to Israel.
The Israeli strikes have led to over 41,000 Palestinian deaths, primarily among women and children, and have devastated the region. The protesters demanded an immediate halt to all military support to Israel, accusing the UK of complicity in the humanitarian crisis.
Speakers at the rally expressed outrage over the UK’s role in supplying weapons that could be used in the conflict, particularly following recent attacks on civilian areas, including a strike on a tent camp near Khan Younis, designated as a “safe zone” for displaced civilians by Israel.
The protest followed the UK government’s recent decision to suspend 30 out of 350 arms export licenses to Israel after a review raised concerns about potential violations of international humanitarian law. The suspended licenses include components for military aircraft, helicopters, drones, and ground-targeting equipment, but notably exclude components for the F-35 fighter jet program, which continues to be supplied.
Protesters argued that the suspension of only 30 licenses was insufficient and called for a complete halt to all military exports to Israel. They warned that continued military support could exacerbate the violence and civilian casualties in Gaza, deepening the humanitarian crisis.
One speaker emphasized, “The UK government has a moral obligation to stop arming Israel immediately. These weapons are being used to kill innocent civilians, and by continuing to supply them, the UK is complicit in these atrocities.”
The protest also reflected the broader international outcry over the situation in Gaza, where relentless bombardments have destroyed homes, hospitals, and schools, leaving tens of thousands homeless and in dire need of aid. Human rights organizations have called for urgent international intervention to protect civilians and end the violence.
In response to increasing pressure from activists and lawmakers, the UK government defended its arms export policy, stating that all licenses are carefully reviewed for compliance with international humanitarian law. However, critics argue that this review process is inadequate to prevent British-made weapons from being used in the conflict and have called for a complete arms embargo on Israel.
As the situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, the protest in London underscored the growing movement to hold governments accountable for their role in the violence. Demonstrators pledged to persist in their efforts until the UK government takes decisive action to end arms sales to Israel.
