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Starmer: Israel is wrong to continue attacking Lebanon
PM was interviewed Robert Peston for ITV's Talking Politics podcast in Bahrain
Keir Starmer has insisted Israel is “wrong” to continue attacking Lebanon, and it is his “strong view” that the military onslaught should stop.
Interviewed by Robert Peston for ITV’s Talking Politics podcast, the Prime Minister said he would argue that Lebanon “should be included in the ceasefire” and that the IDF’s air strikes on Beirut “should not be happening.”
Asked whether Iran was correct that Israel’s continued attacks on Lebanon are a breach of the understanding with America that led to a fragile cessation of hostilities, Starmer said:”Well, it’s hard to say there’s a breach when we haven’t got access to all the details of the ceasefire.
“But look, let me be really clear about it. They’re wrong to be attacking Lebanon … that shouldn’t be happening. That should stop. That’s my strong view.”
He added:”Therefore, the question isn’t a technical one of whether it’s a breach of the agreement or not” before suggesting it is “actually a matter of principles as far as I’m concerned.
“And in a sense, my argument would be that it should be included in the ceasefire, and that’s the important part, the overall approach.”
The interview took place before Israel agreed to direct negotiations with the Lebanese government, apparently after pressure was put on Benjamin Netanyahu by the US.
In a statement on Thursday, the Israeli PM said:”In light of the repeated requests from Lebanon to open direct negotiations with Israel, I instructed the cabinet yesterday to open direct negotiations with Lebanon at the earliest possible time.
“The negotiations will focus on the disarmament of Hezbollah from its weapons and the regulation of peace relations between Israel and Lebanon.
“Israel appreciates the call today by the Prime Minister of Lebanon to demilitarise Beirut.”
Starmer spoke to ITV from Bahrain on this whirlwind tour of Gulf countries, including meetings with the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia and the President of the United Arab Emirates.
Tellingly Starmer also said:””I’m fed up with the fact that families across the country see their bills go up and down on energy businesses bills go up and down on energy because of the actions of Putin or Trump across the world”.
The PM was also asked about recent remarks by US President Donald Trump in relation to Iran, including the threat that an entire civilisation would die if Iran did not capitulate.
He said:”Let me be really clear about this- they are not words I would use, ever use, because I come at this with our British values and principles.”
Starmer added:”I’m clear that for the United Kingdom, we have our principles, we have our values.
“We will be guided by them in everything that we do. That’s why I’ve said, and obviously it’s caused a degree of criticism and pressure in the last
few weeks…. I’ve been saying we are not going to be dragged into this war because I say there must be a lawful basis that matters if you’;re going to commit our service personnel to risk their lives.
“These are real people who take risks with their lives on our behalf. They need to know that what they’re doing is lawful. I owe them that, and I will never give up on that.”
Asked about claims made by Iran’s deputy foreign minister that a US bomber plane ” took off from a British base, demolished four
residential buildings, killing dozens of Iranians”, the PM said:”I’m saying that being really clear about the use of the bases for collective self defence only, and we are monitoring that very clearly as you would expect- the principles are in place.
“Really clear about that divide- no offensive action, not joining in the war… of collective self defence only and that our bases will not be and are not being used for wider offensive and particularly for offensives on civilians.”
Reflecting on his Gulf visit the PM added:”It’s been a chance for me to have quite an in-depth conversation with both of them about the work
that we did with self defence, because we were operating with them.
“I had the chance whilst I was here to thank our pilots and the backup teams from the United Kingdom who’ve been working hard
here.
“Their reflection on how that six or seven weeks of the conflict went, whether they were clear about their capabilities, what they might need to do for the future, what we need to do together.”
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