Labour MPs warned ‘words matter’ on Israel dialogue

Backbench Labour MPs should recognise that “words matter” when they comment on issues around Israel and Hamas, a spokesperson for Keir Starmer has stressed.

Asked to comment on social media posts made by several Labour MPs, and including by Jeremy Corbyn, which responded to a statement put out by Hamas that immediately held Israel responsible for the shocking Gaza hospital blast incident that left hundreds dead, the Leader of the Opposition spokesperson stressed the Islamist terror group is a proscribed organisation in this country.

Corbyn, who currently sits as a independent in Islington North after the Labour whip was withdrawn, had been among the first politicians in the UK to blame Israel for the attack, tweeting:”Israeli air strikes have hit Al Ahli hospital in Gaza. More than 500 people – patients, doctors & those sheltering – have been killed. “What unspeakable horror. We will mourn their loss forever.”

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Backbench Labour MPs to also quickly blame Israel included Zarah Sultana and Andy Macdonald.

“There is a responsibility on everyone to make sure that this debate is conducted in the right way,” Starmer’s spokesperson told journalists in Westminster on Wednesday.

“People need to understand the significance their words have.”

The aide said he could not speak for how MPs were sourcing their tweets in response to Tuesday’s hospital blast, but they stressed”Hamas is a proscribed terrorist organisation and that’s something that should be constantly reminded throughout this.”

The Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital was sheltering thousands of displaced people when it was bombed last night, killing hundreds of innocent Palestinians.

Following the airstrike, media outlets including the BBC pointed the finger at the Israeli Air Force.????1/5 https://t.co/kFFCd1OazW

— Andy McDonald MP for Middlesbrough & Thornaby East (@AndyMcDonaldMP) October 18, 2023

Reports claimed Starmer has come under pressure for his stance in support of Israel, with a small number of Labour councillors now resigned.

Some were citing an interview Starmer did with LBC presenter Nick Ferrari, in which he was accused claiming  Israel “has the right” to cut off power and water in Gaza.

But Starmer’s spokesperson said there had been confusion as the Labour leader’s response, which was placed on social media, had been in response to a previous question on Israel’s right to defend itself.

Asked today whether Starmer had misspoken during the interview, the Labour spokesperson said: “If you listen to the tape, it was one of those things where there were overlapping questions and answers based on what had been being said before.”

It emerged that Starmer has written to councillors stressing that the conflict in the Middle East has ensured that this is a “terrifying and distressing”  time for both Jewish and Muslim communities in the UK.

The letter also confirmed the leader would demand for Israel to act within international law at all times, and the importance of Gaza getting access to food, water, electricity and medicine.

On Monday shadow foreign secretary David Lammy and Sue Gray, Starmer’s chief of staff, held a meeting with councillors to discuss concerns over his approach to Israel.But the leader’s spokesperson played down suggestions that this had placed Starmer under intense pressure.

He also pointed to the fact that the shadow cabinet remained united behind the leader on the issue.