Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer appears to back Israel cutting off power and water to Gaza. He adds that he holds Hamas solely responsible for the misery being caused to Palestinians in the region, following its massacre on October 7th.
Four Labour shadow cabinet members are on resignation watch tonight after Keir Starmer failed to quell Labour wrath over the Israel-Hamas conflict - as the party faces a possible implosion following the leader's silence on Gaza at PMQs.
Sir Keir seemed to be desperately trying to avoid inflaming the issue at today's PMQs, using all his six questions at the weekly Commons clash to target Rishi Sunak on domestic issues. Keir Starmer is scrambling to quell a growing Labour meltdown over his backing for Israel today. He failed to ask Rishi Sunak about the conflict in Gaza at PMQs
A total of 37 Labour MPs have signed a parliamentary motion, tabled by former shadow minister Richard Burgon, calling for an immediate ceasefire 'There was a consensus on the point that a ceasefire needs to be called. I don't think he's quite there yet,' the MP added. 'He said that things are moving, things are evolving, we're already on the pause idea but we have to build consensus.'
A source told MailOnline MPs were 'livid' and frontbenchers could quit if he backed a ground invasion of Gaza by Israel. Another party insider described the mood among Muslim MPs as 'awful' and warned that the Muslim vote could be hit, hampering Labour's election chances. However, allies admitted the meeting - also attended by Angela Rayner - was 'difficult' as feelings run high.
READ MORE - Rachel Riley: Palestine protesters have right to freedom of speech but NOT to support Hamas 'I'm sure it is the same in other political parties where there are issues that constituents are raising with us. And the meeting this afternoon is another example of that. After PMQs former shadow chancellor John McDonnell, a close associate of Jeremy Corbyn, called for Parliament to be recalled if Gaza is invaded. The Commons is due to rise ahead of the King's Speech on November 7.
Sir Keir said he was 'questioned by members' and 'made clear it is not and has never been my view that Israel had the right to cut off water, food, fuel or medicines. International law must be followed'. 'We affirm, unequivocally, the need for a free Palestine. We implore all those with political authority to uphold international law, and to end the occupation of Palestine.'
Full text of Labour Muslim councillors' letter to Keir Starmer over Gaza position Dear Keir Starmer and Angela Rayner, This week five UN agencies, including The World Food Programme and the World Health Organization have called for a humanitarian ceasefire as they described the conditions in Gaza as 'catastrophic'. Leaders across all faiths, including the Archbishop of Canterbury, have also called for a ceasefire and polling shows the vast majority of Britons and Labour voters support this position .
Therefore, as Labour Party councillors, as members, and as members of the Muslim community we urge the Labour Party to urgently adopt a position of calling for an immediate ceasefire, calling on the UK government and the international community to act upon this proposal to save innocent human lives.
What had sparked this latest Leftie tantrum was, inevitably, Starmer's robust stance on Israel in the wake of Hamas's barbaric attacks earlier this month. Two weeks ago, the Labour leader had gone further still, telling LBC radio that Israel 'does have that right' to cut off water and power to the Gaza Strip in response to Hamas's attacks.
In a separate statement, six Oxford councillors wrote: 'This is a direct threat to our democratic rights. We no longer feel we can serve as Labour councillors… in a choice between serving our parties or justice, we have chosen justice.' Yet this simple fact seems to elude the 36 Labour MPs who backed a Parliamentary motion tabled last week by the ultra-Left MP Richard Burgon.
But other names were more surprising — and it is abundantly clear that Labour's issues with Israel run deeper.
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