LONDON — The UK Parliament is scheduled to debate calls for an inquiry into Israeli influence on British politics on Monday. The debate was triggered by an e-petition that gathered more than 118,000 signatures and will be broadcast on the Parliament's YouTube channel.

UK rules state that petitions gaining more than 100,000 signatures are automatically put forward for parliamentary debate. Andy Kalil, a member of the public, launched the petition on January 28, 2026. The petition text states: "We are concerned about reported Israeli state-linked and pro-Israel lobbying activity in UK politics. We believe it is important to determine the scope and impact of any such influence campaigns." It also states: "We feel that the horrific devastation in Gaza, the ongoing suppression of Palestinians in the West Bank, and the UK's political response underline the urgent need to scrutinize how pro-Israel organizations, networks, and lobbying efforts may shape government decisions, party policy, and public debate."

Kalil said: "I launched the petition after seeing a parliamentary petition about Russian influence in UK politics. Many of the comments underneath were asking, 'What about Zionist influence?' So, I thought I'd write the petition. I was a bit surprised that no one had got there before me." He added: "The response has been remarkable and very much a collective effort. I'm extremely grateful to everyone who's signed or shared it."

The UK Labour government stated on April 17, 2026, that it does not support the petition. The UK government stated: "There is an existing framework for transparency around lobbying of the UK government and Parliament." The Cabinet Office noted that existing frameworks include quarterly publications of ministers' external meetings, a statutory register for consultant lobbyists, and Parliament's Codes of Conduct regarding lobbying and registration of interests.

Declassified UK reported in July 2024 that pro-Israeli lobby groups have funded current and former members of the Labour Party, with donations totaling more than 300,000 pounds. The report stated that seven members of Prime Minister Keir Starmer's cabinet accepted Labour Friends of Israel funds for visits to Israel. Starmer has not accepted funding from the group but has spoken at its events. Trevor Chinn donated 50,000 pounds to Starmer's 2020 campaign to become Labour Party leader.

UK media reported in 2021 that then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson was funded by Conservative Friends of Israel for a visit to Israel in November 2004, which he did not declare until 2008. A May 2021 Declassified UK report indicated that 23 members of Johnson's cabinet received at least 14,000 pounds from Israel lobby groups for trips while serving as members of parliament.

A 2009 Channel 4 documentary found that Lord Kalm, a Conservative Friends of Israel member, threatened to remove William Hague's funding after Hague described Israel's force in the 2006 Lebanon war as "disproportionate." A 2017 Al Jazeera investigation titled "The Lobby" reported that members, activists, and at least one MP from the Labour Party were described as "anti-Semitic" after questioning pro-Israel policies. The investigation noted that Jackie Walker was labeled an anti-Semite after attempting to debate issues of Zionism and the inclusion of several global tragedies on Holocaust Day, leading to her suspension from the Labour Party pending investigation.