Growing Dissent Within Labour as Keir Starmer Faces Backlash Over Israel Policy

Tensions within the Labour Party have escalated, with Labour-supporting Muslims demanding that Sir Keir Starmer step down amidst a deepening row over his support for Israeli actions that are perceived as war crimes. The controversy has also led to an increasing number of Labour councillors leaving the party.

Thousands of British Muslims from various walks of life signed an open letter expressing their loss of confidence in Starmer’s leadership. Their discontent stems from Starmer’s endorsement of Israel’s actions, which include cutting off food, water, and power to Palestinians in Gaza—a move considered a breach of international law.

Adding to the challenges faced by Starmer, Labour MPs have thrown their support behind a Commons motion presented by Richard Burgon, Secretary of the Socialist Campaign Group. The motion expresses “deep alarm at the Israeli military bombardment and total siege of Gaza and the resulting deaths and suffering.” It calls for an immediate ceasefire and an end to the total siege of Gaza.

In response to the mounting pressure, Sir Keir Starmer attempted to alter Labour’s position during Prime Minister’s Questions. He stated that “food, fuel, and water must get into Gaza immediately,” reversing his prior endorsement of the Israeli government’s actions. However, neither he nor Prime Minister Rishi Sunak expressed support for a ceasefire, instead emphasizing Israel’s “right to defend itself” through ongoing attacks on Gaza within the bounds of international law. They also joined in condemning the surge in anti-Semitic and Islamophobic incidents in Britain.

The open letter to Sir Keir from British Muslims highlights their concerns: “Your consistent defense of Israel’s actions, often with limited regard for the humanitarian plight of the Palestinians, has left many members of the Muslim community feeling unheard and unrepresented.” It emphasizes the importance of acknowledging the human rights concerns raised by international organizations regarding Israeli policies and practices, rejecting Labour’s view that Hamas bears sole responsibility for the conflict.

The Commons motion not only condemns the actions of Hamas but also calls for the release of hostages. It has garnered support from at least 43 MPs, including notable Labour MPs such as John McDonnell, Beth Winter, Grahame Morris, and Zarah Sultana. Prominent figures like Jeremy Corbyn, Diane Abbott, and Claudia Webbe, who were denied the Labour whip by Sir Keir, have also backed the motion. Members of other parties, including the SNP and Plaid Cymru, as well as Conservative MP Sir Peter Bottomley and Green MP Caroline Lucas, are among the signatories.

Richard Burgon, the motion’s author, stressed the urgency of an immediate ceasefire, stating, “Preventing the death of any more civilians must be our top priority.”

The Labour Party is grappling with an exodus of councillors, particularly those outraged by Sir Keir Starmer’s pro-war crimes stance and the ban on attending solidarity marches. Recent departures have been reported in London, Cambridge, Gloucester, and Gedling in Nottinghamshire, joining colleagues in Manchester, Stroud, and Oxford who resigned earlier. Councillors who departed expressed their concerns about the party’s stance on justice and the treatment of Palestinians and Muslims.

A meeting with council leaders held on Monday night failed to quell the tide of resignations.

A national demonstration demanding an end to the conflict in Gaza is scheduled for this Saturday, October 21, in London. The demonstration is organized by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Stop the War, CND, the Muslim Association of Britain, and other campaign groups, with the assembly point at Marble Arch from noon.

Picture credit
By Chris McAndrew – https://api20170418155059.azure-api.net/photo/X9dwBvuR.jpeg?crop=MCU_3:4&quality=80&download=trueGallery: https://beta.parliament.uk/media/X9dwBvuR, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=61331023