London rally calls for new PM to impose arms embargo on Israel

On Tuesday, a crowd of about 200 demonstrators gathered outside Manchester City Hall to urge Mayor Andy Burnham to impose an arms embargo on Israel and to pressure the Israeli government to end what they describe as genocide in Gaza. The protest, organized by the Manchester Coalition for Palestinian Rights, called for a halt to all UK‑exported weapons to Israel and for the UK government to use its diplomatic influence to stop the violence.

The demonstrators cited the UK’s continued arms sales to Israel—amounting to more than £1 billion annually—as a key factor that enables the conflict. They also pointed to recent UN reports and statements from human rights groups that label the Israeli military campaign in Gaza as a potential genocide. Burnham, who has previously condemned the use of force in the region, has not yet issued a formal statement on the embargo request, though his office said it would review the matter in consultation with national security advisers.

The protest highlights growing domestic pressure on UK officials to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Whether Burnham will act on the demonstrators’ demands remains uncertain, but the event underscores the increasing call among civil society groups for the UK to reassess its arms trade and diplomatic stance toward Israel.