On June 4, 2025, London became the epicenter of a powerful demonstration as thousands of protesters gathered to demand an immediate halt to the United Kingdom's arms exports to Israel. This mass mobilization, symbolically dubbed the "Red Line" protest, saw demonstrators clad in red, forming a human chain around the British Parliament building as well as Westminster and Lambeth bridges. They carried a long red fabric, a vivid emblem of the bloodshed endured by Palestinians amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
The protest was organized by numerous civil society groups under the banner "Red Line for Palestine," sending a clear message to the British government: "You have crossed the red line for Palestine." The demonstrators, waving Palestinian flags and chanting slogans such as "Impose an immediate ban on arms supplies to Israel" and "Impose immediate sanctions," underscored their call for Britain to adopt a foreign policy that respects international law and human rights.
In parallel with the demonstration, the UK Parliament held a session where Prime Minister Keir Starmer faced intense scrutiny over his government's stance on the Gaza conflict. Starmer described the humanitarian crisis in Gaza as "unbearable" and "horrific and unacceptable," emphasizing the government's strong opposition to expanding military operations, settler violence, and obstruction of humanitarian aid. He confirmed suspending free trade agreement talks with Israel and imposing sanctions on extremists in the West Bank, hinting at further measures in cooperation with allies.
The protest and parliamentary session occurred amid growing public pressure reflected in a recent Opinium poll involving 2,050 participants across the UK. The survey revealed that 57% of respondents support a comprehensive ban on arms sales to Israel, with regional support ranging from 65% in Scotland to 50% in Northern Ireland. Additionally, 50% opposed the sale of Israeli products in stores, and 46% favored local governments severing ties with companies backing Israel. Notably, 53% supported suspending Israel's membership in the United Nations, while 54% backed UK sanctions on far-right Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich following his extremist statements about Gaza.
Amid these developments, former Labour leader and independent Member of Parliament Jeremy Corbyn introduced a bill calling for a full, public, and independent inquiry into the UK's military, political, and economic cooperation with Israel since October 2023. Corbyn’s initiative aims to uncover the extent and nature of British involvement, including the types of weapons supplied, the role of the Akrotiri airbase in Cyprus, and intelligence sharing with Israel.
Corbyn highlighted troubling facts, noting that the Starmer government approved more arms export licenses to Israel than the previous Conservative administration between 2020 and 2023, despite a partial export suspension announced in September 2024. He questioned, "How can a democratic government continue to arm a state whose prime minister is wanted by the International Criminal Court?" Corbyn also criticized the government's repeated silence on parliamentary inquiries about the use of British military bases in support of Israeli operations.
Describing the Gaza conflict as an unprecedented series of atrocities over the past 20 months, Corbyn recounted harrowing scenes: entire families wiped out, surgeries performed without anesthesia, and widespread destruction of homes and hospitals. He asserted, "These images broadcast worldwide will forever haunt humanity’s conscience," concluding that "the crime will not be erased, and the British people will not remain silent." He urged the government to support the investigation rather than continue to cover up complicity.
The demonstration featured participation from multiple British MPs, including Labour’s John McDonnell and Apsana Begum, as well as Green Party Co-Leader Sian Berry. McDonnell condemned the UK’s ongoing supply of vital F-35 fighter jet components used in bombing Gaza, calling for immediate recognition of the State of Palestine. He encouraged continuous public protests to pressure politicians to end the genocide and hold war criminals accountable.
Begum emphasized the need for full transparency regarding British complicity, asserting parliamentarians’ opposition to such involvement. Berry voiced strong support for Corbyn’s bill and any parliamentary efforts to halt the war, stressing the importance of government adherence to international law to prevent genocide in Gaza.
On June 3, 2025, MP Steve Double of Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr held a parliamentary debate urging the government to suspend all arms exports to Israel. Double described Gaza as a "slaughterhouse" and criticized the UK government for allowing weapons to flow despite ongoing genocidal acts. He highlighted the lack of transparency over British military exports, especially concerning F-35 fighter jet components, and called on ministers to clarify conditions that would halt further shipments.
In a clear display of public and professional opposition, over 800 lawyers, academics, and retired senior judges—including former Supreme Court justices—sent a letter to the government demanding sanctions on the Israeli government and its ministers. They also urged consideration of suspending Israel’s United Nations membership to fulfill the UK’s fundamental international legal obligations.
In the days leading up to the protest, Parliament Square hosted an 18-hour continuous reading of the names of thousands of Palestinians killed during the Israeli military campaign in Gaza. This solemn event featured British artists such as comedian Steve Coogan and actress Juliet Stevenson, underscoring the cultural and societal resonance of the issue.
Since October 7, 2023, Israel, with unequivocal American backing, has been accused of committing genocide in Gaza, resulting in approximately 180,000 Palestinian casualties—mostly women and children—over 11,000 missing persons, and hundreds of thousands displaced. The UK's continued arms exports and political support have sparked widespread outrage and calls for accountability.
The "Red Line" protest and the parliamentary debate encapsulate a critical juncture in UK politics and public opinion, reflecting a nation grappling with its role amid a devastating conflict. The growing chorus of voices demanding transparency, sanctions, and an end to complicity signals a potential shift in British foreign policy and international engagement.
