Remain neutral in Israel-Palestine conflict and withdraw support for Israel
151,550 people signed this petition to the UK Parliament after it opened on 12 October 2023; it closed on 12 April 2024. The Government responded on 6 November 2023. MPs debated it in Westminster Hall on 11 December 2023.
The petition
The petition's creator is not named in the Petitions site's published record. Quoted in full from the UK Parliament petitions site.
Remain neutral in Israel-Palestine conflict and withdraw support for Israel
We want the UK to be neutral in the conflict between Israel and Palestine, and withdraw offers of support for Israel.
We don’t want UK to spend tax payer money to support Israel.
Israel has been found to systematically violate international law through illegal occupation of Palestinian land. Meanwhile Hamas has been proscribed as a terrorist organisation by the UK Government.
The Government is taking Israel's side but we don't want the UK to take a side in this conflict.
The Government's response
The Government published its response on 6 November 2023; the petitions site lists the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office as responsible. Its summary:
The UK supports Israel’s right to self-defence in line with international humanitarian law. We will continue to lead and support efforts towards a two state solution between Israel and the PA.
The response in full:
On 7 October Hamas terrorists brutally murdered over 1400 people. They raped, maimed, and took the lives of ordinary civilians. Their attack began on that day and hasn’t stopped since, with Hamas continuing to fire thousands of rockets at Israel. We have a proud history of standing with states against terrorism, of which this is a part.
We support Israel’s legitimate right to defend itself and take action against terrorism, and we continue to urge all sides to adhere to international humanitarian law. We continue to urge Israel to ensure its campaign is targeted against Hamas leaders and military infrastructure. It’s vital that all parties ensure their actions are proportionate, necessary and minimise harm to civilians. In all their engagements with Israeli counterparts, UK Government Ministers – including the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary – have pressed this point.
Hamas does not speak for or act in the interests of the Palestinian people. Hamas deliberately murdered and kidnapped innocent people in Israel and now callously puts civilians in Gaza at risk. At least 12 British nationals were tragically killed in the terrorist attacks by Hamas. Several others are feared dead or kidnapped by Hamas.
As the Prime Minister said, we stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people, who are also victims of Hamas. Since Hamas’ terrorist attack against Israel on 7 October the UK has committed £30 million in additional aid to the Occupied Palestinian Territories – more than doubling our existing aid commitment for this year. This will allow trusted partners to provide essential relief items and services such as food, water and shelter.
The UK has strong bilateral relationships with both Israel and the Palestinian Authority. What we want to see is both Israelis and Palestinians safe and secure, not living under the constant threat of terrorism, in peaceful proximity. We continue to work with international partners to lead and support efforts towards a two-state solution that allows both Israelis and Palestinians to live in peace and dignity.
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
Where the signatures came from
Signatures came from 650 constituencies on the boundaries used until the 2024 general election. The largest number, 2,613, came from Poplar and Limehouse.
150,007 of the signatures were from the UK and 1,543 from elsewhere, by the location signers gave.
| Constituency | Signatures |
|---|---|
| Poplar and Limehouse | 2,613 |
| Birmingham, Hall Green | 2,581 |
| Bethnal Green and Bow | 2,477 |
| Birmingham, Hodge Hill | 2,454 |
| Bradford West | 2,213 |
| East Ham | 2,108 |
| Ilford South | 2,031 |
| Birmingham, Ladywood | 1,998 |
| Blackburn | 1,751 |
| West Ham | 1,689 |
| Region | Signatures |
|---|---|
| London | 44,909 |
| West Midlands | 20,667 |
| North West | 20,435 |
| Yorkshire and The Humber | 14,596 |
| South East | 12,964 |
| East of England | 9,115 |
| East Midlands | 7,713 |
| Scotland | 7,162 |
| South West | 4,514 |
| Wales | 3,071 |
| North East | 3,064 |
| Northern Ireland | 743 |
Debate in Parliament
MPs debated the petition in Westminster Hall on 11 December 2023. Read the debate in Hansard. House of Commons Library debate pack.
Source and receipt
- https://petition.parliament.uk/archived/petitions/648225.jsonUK Parliament Petitions API · read 2026-10-15 · SHA-256
6ac209752721480f… - The petition on petition.parliament.uk
The petition's words are its creator's and the response is the Government's; this site quotes both and gives no view on either. Signature counts can still change while a petition is open. To report an error, send a correction request.