‘Ceasefire call not credible if only one side has to abide by it’ Scots Labour leader admits

“No one that is credibly calling for a ceasefire can be calling for one if it will mean only one side has to abide by it,” the leader of the Scottish Labour Party has told Jewish News.

Speaking during a briefing to journalists in Westminster Anas Sarwar had been asked about his earlier calls for an immediate ceasefire in Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza.

Sarwar said he recognised that the “UK language right now is calling for an immediate truce that leads to a ceasefire”  but added he continued to believe “we have to have a ceasefire”  with “immediate access to humanitarian assistance” to Gaza.

The Labour leader in Scotland added he also called for the “immediate release of the hostages” and a need for conditions that created “stability for Israel” and a two-state solution.

In language that put him closer to the position held by Keir Starmer’s party in Westminster, Sarwar said:”We are right to call out Hamas as being a terrorist organisation” who had “not been serious about peace or who wanted peace.”

After Sarwar had called for an immediate ceasefire in November there were claims of a rift with Starmer, but the pair remain close allies.

Expressing his hope of victory for Starmer and a massively improved performance by the Scottish party at the next election Sarwar also condemned Benjamin Netanyahu as “not being serious about peace” for Israel.

Asked by Jewish News how it was possible to call for an immediate ceasefire with a “terrorist organisation” Sarwar said:”An immediate ceasefire doesn’t mean one side has to stop the violence – that’s not a ceasefire.

“A ceasefire is if rocket fire stops going into Gaza, but also rocket fire stops coming out. So no one who is credibly calling for a ceasefire can be calling for it if it will mean only one side has to abide by it.

“And of course it requires the release of hostages as well as a pathway to peace. Hamas currently aren’t in  favour of a pathway to a two state solution. And neither is Benjamin Netanyahu.”