Labour Councillors Quit In Protest Against Keir Starmer’s Israel/Palestine Stance

In response to Sir Keir Starmer’s position on Israel’s impending invasion of Gaza, a number of Labour council members, including the first Arab Muslim woman on Manchester City Council, have resigned from the party.

Amna Abdullatif claimed that the Labour leader had “effectively endorsed a war crime,” leaving her with “no choice” but to quit from the party.

The councilwoman claimed that Sir Keir and other top frontbenchers had stated things that were “horrifying” about Israel’s right to deny the 2.2 million Palestinians who are imprisoned in Gaza access to electricity, gasoline, water, and food.

Sir Keir, who has emphasised his steadfast support for Israel’s “right to defend herself,” has said that Hamas is to blame for the assault of Gaza.

The Labour leader responded, “I think that Israel does have that right,” when asked on LBC if he thought a siege of Gaza was appropriate if it entailed “cutting off power, cutting off water.” He then added, “Obviously, everything should be done within international law.”

The independent Ms. Abdullatif declared that collective punishment is against international law. It is unconscionable and inhumane.

“I cannot fathom how the leadership of the party I represent has not called for a de-escalation to violence, and a ceasefire. This is really risky and reckless.

Since Sir Keir made the remarks regarding Gaza, Shaista Aziz and Dr. Amar Latif, two Labour councillors in Oxford, have also left the party.

Multiple Labour councillors have resigned in response to Sir Keir’s comments on Israel/Palestine.

Politicians, according to Ms. Aziz, must “evoke humanity” and “put an end to collective punishment in Gaza”. Mr Latif claimed Starmer had responded in such a way “because he’s afraid of losing votes”.

The Labour Muslim Network demanded that Mr. Starmer “retract his comments on LBC, and apologise” after accusing him of supporting the “collective punishment” of 2.2 million people in Gaza.

The Labour leader responded to a question on whether Israel is justified in putting Gaza under siege by saying, “I think Israel has the right to defend herself in the face of appalling and shocking terrorism.”

Questioned if the bombardment of Gaza worries him, he said: “Responsibility lies with Hamas. We need to be really clear about that.”

On Monday, Starmer urged the opening of humanitarian corridors to facilitate the delivery of food, water, and energy to the Gaza Strip while insisting that civilians in Gaza “must not be targeted” in parliament.

Starmer also said the international community must keep “striving for a two-state solution” to the conflict. “We cannot let Hamas brutality be a catalyst for conflict in the wider region. Engagement between Israel and Arab nations must be strengthened not abandoned.”

The Labour leader said it is “crucial that this House speaks with one voice in condemnation of terror, in support for Israel in its time of agony and for the dignity of all human life”.