Keir Starmer’s refusal to back calls for ceasefire has led to resignations and calls to quit from some in his party
Keir Starmer’s Labour party is miles ahead of Rishi Sunak’s Conservatives in the polls and, with the UK seemingly crying out for change after 13 years of Tory rule, victory at the next general election seems likely. However, in recent days Starmer has been urged to quit from people within his own party. The immediate source of the discontent has been the Labour leader’s refusal to back calls for a ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hamas.
There were always other views on Israel and Palestine within Labour but a much more critical stance on the Israeli state appeared to emerge as a result of Israel’s occupation of the West Bank and Gaza and then the hardline rightwing approach of the governments of Ariel Sharon and Benjamin Netanyahu. Social justice, it was said, was best pursued through solidarity with the Palestinian people.
There is a suspicion in some parts of Labour, however, that Starmer has been led to this position by a desire to draw a line between him and his predecessor, Corbyn, who was recorded in 2009 describing Hamas and Hezbollah representatives as “friends”. Corbyn has spoken of his regret at that “inclusive” but inappropriate language, but in doing so he has argued that the way to peace will inevitably require all the warring parties to be brought together, and that there is no military solution.
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