Starmer holds ‘constructive’ meeting with MPs over position on Israeli response to Hamas attack
Labour leader's spokesperson says Starmer continues to 'fully recognise Israel has a right to defend itself, to go after the hostages, and to act in accordance with humanitarian law'
Lee Harpin is the Jewish News's political editor
Keir Starmer has met with a group of around a dozen MPs, including some front benchers, concerned about his stance on Israel’s response to the Hamas terrorist atrocities.
A spokesperson for the Labour leader confirmed the meeting was taking place in Westminster on Wednesday after the group requested to see him to discuss the issue further.
He confirmed that “some frontbenchers” were attending the talks, which Starmer was “happy” to facilitate.
It took place after Labour’s shadow equalities minister Yasmin Qureshi joined the calls for a “humanitarian ceasefire” during PMQs saying people in Gaza were subject to “collective punishment” for “crimes they did not commit”.
Starmer’s spokesperson offered no comment on Qureshi’s decision to speak out in the Commons on Wednesday. The Leader of the Opposition avoided raising the conflict in Gaza during PMQs, as the issue, and his position had been made clear during extensive debates in the Commons.
“What we have said is that we fully recognise Israel has a right to defend itself, to go after the hostages, and to act in accordance with humanitarian law,” the spokesperson said on Wednesday, outlining Starmer’s position to journalists.
“What we’ve also said is that we need to ensure there is protection of civilian lives, of assurances that all necessary aid supplies can get into Gaza, and reach people who need them. That continued to be our position.”
At least 19 Labour councillors have already quit the party over the issue, including in Cambridge, Nottinghamshire, Gloucester, while some MPs have also been critical about the position the leadership has taken.
In Oxford, Labour has lost its majority on the council, after eight councillors resigned from the party.
More than 150 Labour Muslim councillors have written to him urging the party leadership to call for an immediate ceasefire in the region.
Starmer’s spokesperson said he was “not aware of a specific response” to these letters.
He also stressed the Labour leadership continued to believe the responsibility for what happened on October 7th was with Hamas, who had carried out an “appalling terrorist attack.”
Much of the criticism has focused around an interview he did with LBC in which a clip shared on social media suggested Starmer had appeared to say Israel had the “right” to cut off water and energy to Gaza.
His spokesperson reiterated that Starmer had been answering a different question in the clip that was shared on social media. The Labour leader had also repeatedly stressed in numerous other interviews for Israel to comply with international law.
On Wednesday, a letter signed by more than 150 Muslim Labour councillors representing areas including Birmingham, Leicester and Glasgow, called on the party’s leadership to back an immediate ceasefire in Gaza to protect civilians and allow access to humanitarian aid.
A Labour spokesperson dismissed claims of rift with Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar over Israel.
On Tuesday Sarwar accused Israel of a “clear breach” of international law in Gaza, telling the BBC there is “no justification for the withholding of essential supplies”.
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