Gaza inquiry petition hits 100,000 but ministers have already shut one door

A petition calling for a public inquiry into British involvement in Israeli operations in Gaza passed 100,000 signatures on Monday 9 November 2026, clearing the threshold at which Parliament considers a topic for debate.

The petition was launched on 23 October by Jenn Forbes, chair of Your Party. It asks for a Chilcot-style inquiry covering "the sale, supply or use of weapons, surveillance aircraft and Royal Air Force bases" in relation to Israeli operations in Gaza. It also calls for an inquiry with the power to question government ministers and officials on what arms have been supplied to Israel, which RAF bases have been used and why, what intelligence was collected during RAF flights, and what legal advice was given on assessing genocide.

Signature growth was rapid. The petition passed 60,000 in just over a week after launch and reached six figures within a fortnight.

The demand follows the government's blocking of a private member's bill brought by former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, which would have mandated an independent, judge-led investigation into UK involvement in Israeli military operations. The petition route carries no such binding force: crossing 100,000 signatures does not guarantee a debate, and it does not compel ministers to launch an inquiry.

Whether that pressure produces anything beyond a symbolic parliamentary airing is now the central question.

The petition's own language uses "genocide" to describe Israel's operations in Gaza.

Ed Miliband was identified as Foreign Secretary in a government speech delivered on 3 November 2026.