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Majority of UK Public Oppose Supplying Parts for F-35 Fighter Jets to Israel, New Poll Finds

A new YouGov poll shows that a clear majority of the UK public – 55% – think the UK Government should not approve the supply of parts for F-35 fighter jets to the Government of Israel. 

The results of the poll, commissioned by Save the Children, Christian Aid, Oxfam and Medical Aid for Palestinians, reveal that nearly 70% of people who voted for Labour (69%) in the last general election as well as 64% of Liberal Democrat voters, and 38% of Conservative voters say the UK should end its involvement in arming the Government of Israel with UK-made parts for F-35 fighter jets. One in three Reform UK (34%) and 83% of Greens voters also support halting these exports. 

This widespread public demand comes after a High Court ruling on 30 June, that judged this matter to lie with the Government – not the courts – because of the political and sensitive nature; ruling that it must be decided by Ministers who are democratically accountable to Parliament and, ultimately, to the public. This is despite the High Court acknowledging that UK arms are at risk of being used in violations of international humanitarian law in Gaza.   

Lethal F-35 fighter jets are being used in attacks by Israeli forces in Gaza where over 57,000 Palestinians have been killed, including 17,000 children. 

With the courts deferring responsibility to the Government, and the public now delivering a clear verdict, Save the Children, Christian Aid, Oxfam and Medical Aid for Palestinians are calling on the UK to stop being an ally to further atrocities committed in Gaza by Israeli forces. The message from voters is clear: the British public does not support the continued export of UK-made F-35 fighter jet parts to the Government of Israel. 

Alison Griffin, Director of Campaigns at Save the Children UK, said: "The UK Government’s stance on Gaza is not just contradictory — it’s morally indefensible. Ministers say they want an end to the war, yet they continue to license the export of parts for F-35 fighter jets used to bomb densely populated areas. You cannot call for peace while fuelling war." 

"Children in Gaza are being killed and live in unthinkable conditions. They are being starved, traumatised, and robbed of any future. Imagine a child standing alone on the ruins of his home, digging through the rubble in search of their mother. This is not a distant tragedy — this is the reality right now, and it is happening with the UK’s support. 

"Gaza is the most dangerous place in the world to be a child. To be a child in Gaza today is to live through the unimaginable: to search for the remains of loved ones, to sleep to the sound of drones, to wake up to the sight of destruction with nowhere safe to go, and nothing to eat. The psychological scars will last a lifetime - and the UK is complicit in this due to its ongoing supply of arms.

"We are calling on the government to act. Listen to the public. End the hypocrisy. Stop arming the Government of Israel and help end this horror for innocent children and their families." 

Save the Children has been working in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt) since 1953 and has a permanent presence in Gaza where we deliver lifesaving health, nutrition, and protection support. 

Rohan Talbot, Director of Advocacy and Campaigns at Medical Aid for Palestinians, said: “The British public have spoken: they do not want the UK arming Israel. Yet the government continues to supply parts for F-35 fighter jets that are being used to destroy Gaza’s health system, and to drop the bombs that are tearing through shelters, families, and the bodies of Palestinians every day. The public wants this to stop. So do we. The UK must end all arms transfers to Israel – immediately – and finally cease being an ally to Israel’s atrocities.” 

Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) works for a future where every Palestinian has access to a comprehensive, effective and locally-led system of healthcare, and the full realisation of their rights to health and dignity.  

Notes to Editors 

  • Polling was commissioned by Save the Children and conducted by YouGov. 
  • All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc.  Total sample size was 2,338 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 1st - 2nd July 2025.  The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK adults (aged 18+). 
  • Respondents were asked whether they think the UK government should or should not continue to license the export of parts for F-35 fighter jets to the Government of Israel. 

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