- Starmer articulated, in an interview with LBC, his defence on enforcement of a siege, cutting off water, food and electricity to Gaza.
- Following Starmer’s remarks, the Labour Muslim Network (LMN) strongly criticized his endorsement of ‘strategies involving the collective repercussions on 2.2 million individuals in the Gaza Strip.’ Could this have served as a resounding clarion for Muslim members to consider departing from the Labour Party?
The leader of the UK’s opposition Labour Party, Keir Starmer, expressed his support for what he characterized as Israel’s “right” to completely sever power and water provisions to Palestinians in Gaza.
In an interview with British broadcaster LBC on Wednesday, Starmer attributed the entire responsibility for the situation in Occupied Palestine to Hamas. His statements coincided with Israel’s unleashing of what Gaza residents have described as the most intense bombing campaign in recent memory, resulting in at least 1,055 Palestinian casualties this week.
When asked about the proportionality of a siege and the cutoff of water and electricity supplies to the besieged region, Starmer responded, “I think that Israel does have that right, it is an ongoing situation, obviously everything should be done within international law, but I don’t want to step away from the core principles that Israel has the right to defend herself.”
Starmer did not elaborate on how collective punishment methods, such as the withdrawal of water supplies to a large urban area, could align with international law. The use of starvation as a method of warfare against civilian populations is expressly prohibited under customary international law.
In response to Starmer’s comments, the Labour Muslim Network (LMN) decried his support for “plans for the collective punishment of 2.2 million people in the Gaza Strip.
Could this have served as a resounding clarion for Muslim members to consider departing from the Labour Party?
Sister Lubaba Khalid handed in her resignation on 12th October.
‘Collective punishment is a war crime. Cutting off power and water to hospitals and life-serving facilities is a war crime,’ the organization asserted, calling for a retraction and an apology to Palestinians. His statements were also criticized by activists, including Alex Nunns, a former speechwriter for Starmer’s predecessor Jeremy Corbyn, who argued that collective punishment of civilians is a war crime.
Gaza’s civilian population, which includes a significant number of children, remains trapped in an area with dwindling essential resources, as all exits are blocked. Israel has also targeted the only exit from Gaza to Egypt, the Rafah crossing. UNRWA has warned that Gaza has only enough food and water supplies for a limited duration.
Starmer was funded by Pro-Israeli lobbyist during the 2020 Leadership election
In 2020, data shows Keir Starmer had received a £50,000 donation from pro-Israel lobbyist Trevor Chinn, information which was not disclosed until after polls had closed in the leadership election.
Starmer has consistently advocated for the principles of Zionism. However, his recent endorsement of the siege in Gaza highlights that endorsing such malevolent actions showcases what sort of a leader he would be, should he be given the opportunity.
