Quarter of Brits ‘strongly back’ suspending all UK arms exports to Israel, new poll suggests
Survey by Ipsos shows around half of Britons believe the Israeli government (54%) and the Iranian government (49%) bear a great deal of responsibility for the recent conflict
Twenty-five percent of Britons “strongly support” suspending all UK arms exports to Israel, a new poll has suggested.
The new survey data, published by the respected polling firm Ipsos also showed around half of Britons believe the Israeli government (54%) and the Iranian government (49%) respectively bear a great deal of responsibility for the conflict between the two states that ended in a ceasefire this week.
Other actors identified as having a great deal of responsibility for the conflict include Hamas (26%), the United States (24%), and Hezbollah (22%), while 20% don’t know.
On the question of stopping arms sales to Israel, a further 18% said they “tend to support” leaving a combined total of 43% supporting the move, which has long been the call of far-left and Islamist politicians.
Meanwhile 21% said they opposed the suspension of arms sales – made up of 12% who strongly opposed and 9% who tended to oppose.
The survey, conducted between June 20th-23rd, 2025 (with the large majority of fieldwork completed before the US strikes on Iran on the 22nd), also saw strong support for the UK to use diplomacy with Israel, Iran, and other countries to de-escalate the situation.
Two-thirds (66%) of Britons said they supported this use of diplomacy. On the UK government’s performance, three in ten (30%) believe Keir Starmer has done a bad job responding to the conflict. 18% say he has done a good job, while a third (33%) say neither.
Two in five British adults (40%) think the UK should act as a neutral mediator in the conflict. 27% believe the UK should not be involved at all. Only 11% think the UK should support Israel, and a mere 5% favour supporting Iran.
Asked about maintaining diplomatic ties with Israel 45% said they supported, while 15% opposed close ties with the Jewish state.
On the prospect of Britain sending jet airplanes to help defend Israel against Iran, 17% said they would support, while 50% opposed.
And on Britain sending weapons to help Israel fight Iran, just17% support, while 51% oppose.
Nearly four in five British adults (79%) expressed concern about the impact of the Israel-Iran conflict on regional stability in the Middle East.
Around three quarters are also concerned about its impact on the price of fuel/energy (75%), the UK economy (74%), and UK national safety and security (73%).
Commenting on the findings, Gideon Skinner, Senior Director of UK Politics at Ipsos said: “These figures emphasise the high level of anxiety among the British public regarding the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict.
“Britons are worried about its impact across a number of fronts: on fuel and energy prices, the domestic economy and national security at home, and also extending more broadly to issues of regional stability in the Middle East and the impact on civilians on both sides.
“The public is clearly cautious about direct military involvement, preferring diplomatic solutions and a neutral stance for the UK.
“It’s also notable that the public apportion significant responsibility to both the Israeli and Iranian governments for the current situation, suggesting they believe the conflict arises from complex roots.”
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