Starmer: We are looking at man-made famine in Gaza
PM accuses Israeli government of 'preventing urgently needed aid' from entering Strip
Keir Starmer has described the situation in Gaza as “horrifying,” telling MPs, “we are looking at a man-made famine.”
Speaking at Prime Minister’s Question Time in the Commons, he said he was speaking with world leaders about the situation, along with efforts to bring about a ceasefire, get the hostages out and “put forward a peace plan that can actually take us to a two-state solution”.
He later accused the Israeli government of “preventing urgently needed aid” from entering Gaza, adding “that is why we are now seeing a man-made famine”.
Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey had questioned whether Starmer would look US president Donald Trump “in the eye” at a forthcoming state banquet and urge him to intervene and force Benjamin Netanyahu to halt Israel’s Gaza offensive.
Davey had referenced images of starving people in Gaza and “emaciated hostages still held captive by Hamas” as he spoke on Wednesday.
The PM responded by confirming “the horrifying situation in Gaza” before adding “we are looking at a man-made famine, on top of everything else”.
Starmer continued: “That is why we’re spending so much of our time with our partners, seeking to bring about a ceasefire, to get humanitarian aid in at pace, to get the hostages out, and of course put forward a peace plan that can actually take us to a two-state solution”.
He then noted that Davey had himself declined to take up his place at the state banquet for Trump in a few weeks’ time, where he would have been able to raise such matters himself with the US president.
Later, Starmer was asked to express support by Labour MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy for the Global Sumud Flotilla now on its way to Gaza with “British citizens” on board.
The PM said the Israeli government was “preventing urgently needed aid from getting into Gaza, and that is why we are now seeing a man-made famine”.
But in reference to the flotilla, he stressed, “to get aid in by any practical means, land routes are the only viable and sustainable means of getting aid into Gaza.”
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
