Starmer tells Labour MPs UK could take further action if Israel’s Gaza offensive continues
At meeting of the PLP on Monday, the PM rejected calls for immediate recognition of a Palestinian state, saying this should take place only under right conditions
Lee Harpin is the Jewish News's political editor
Keir Starmer has told a meeting of Labour MPs in Westminster that his party “would” consider further action against Benjamin Netanyahu’s government as a result of the renewed military offensive in Gaza and its failure to lift restrictions on humanitarian aid.
The Prime Minister was pressed on the government’s response to the Gaza war as he addressed MPs at Monday evening’s meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party.
He said that the UK, alongside France and Canada, could take “concrete action” if Israel does not show that it has lifted restrictions on humanitarian aid.
But when asked at Monday’s meeting if the government would add its support to immediate recognition of a Palestinian state, Starmer insisted this could only happen at a time when it would best lead to both a secure and safe Israel alongside a state for the Palestinians.
Jewish News understands measures being considered against Israel include tough new sanctions.
At a packed meeting of the PLP, – attended by senior figures such as chancellor Rachel Reeves and Attorney General Richard Hermer KC, as well as many peers, Starmer received a rousing reception from most MPs inside the packed Westminster committee room.
He spoke initially of the government’s mission to fulfill its manifesto commitments, and also of added issues both in the UK and globally that had emerged since the general election victory last July.
At one point the PM told the meeting:”The Conservatives are not our principal opponent. Reform are our main rivals for power. We have a moral responsibility to make sure Farage never wins.”
Many MPs cheered as the PM re-confirmed the UK-EU deal agreed earlier on Monday.
He received some pushback later over the government’s attempt to tackle Reform UK on immigration, with one MP suggesting Labour should be fighting the issue on “our terms and not theirs.”
While Israel’s war against Hamas did not dominate the questions put to Starmer after he had spoken at the PLP meeting, he was asked about criticism that Labour had not been tough enough on Israel.
Stamer outlined the joint statement issued by the UK, France, and Canada on Monday which said that they will take “further concrete actions” if Israel does not stop a renewed military offensive in Gaza and lift aid restrictions.
The statement by Starmer, Emmanuel Macron and Mark Carney condemned Israel’s expansion of military operations in Gaza as “wholly disproportionate”, adding that the “level of human suffering in Gaza is intolerable”.
“We will not stand by while the Netanyahu Government pursues these egregious actions,” it added.
“If Israel does not cease the renewed military offensive and lift its restrictions on humanitarian aid, we will take further concrete actions in response.”
It described the Israeli government’s “denial of essential humanitarian assistance” as “unacceptable” and said it risks breaching international humanitarian law. In addition, it condemned the “abhorrent” language used by Israeli politicians threatening civilians with relocation from Gaza.
The leaders called on the Israeli government to stop its military operations in Gaza and immediately allow humanitarian aid to enter the Palestinian territory.
Netanyahu gave a furious response in a statement released by his office.
“By asking Israel to end a defensive war for our survival before Hamas terrorists on our border are destroyed and by demanding a Palestinian state, the leaders in London, Ottawa and Paris are offering a huge prize for the genocidal attack on Israel on October 7 while inviting more such atrocities,” he said, referring to the Hamas attacks in 2023 that set off the war.
Netanyahu said “all European leaders” should follow US president Donald Trump’s example in supporting Israel.
“The war can end tomorrow if the remaining hostages are released, Hamas lays down its arms, its murderous leaders are exiled and Gaza is demilitarised. No nation can be expected to accept anything less and Israel certainly won’t,” Netanyahu declared.
“This is a war of civilisation over barbarism. Israel will continue to defend itself by just means until total victory is achieved.”
But at the PLP meeting Starmer rejected calls for the government to announce it was recognising a Palestinian state.
He reaffirmed the party’s position, which is that Labour is committed to recognising a Palestinian state “as a contribution to a renewed peace process which results in a two-state solution.”
Jewish News spoke with MPs as they left the PLP meeting. One said the PM got a “rousing reception” after he delivered his speech.
He had stressed the government’s committment to growth and to rebuilding the UK and improving transport networks such as railways.
Another MP said criticism of the government’s performance so far had mainly been from the “usual suspects” at the meeting.
One admitted “some of us do have concerns, but we will raise them in an adult manner, not by screaming at the Prime Minister in a meeting.”
Asked about Starmer’s response to the question about the government’s stance on Gaza, another MP told Jewish News that they felt the PM’s message to be “the correct one.”
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