Keir Starmer is under pressure as Labor MP Imran Hussain resigns over his refusal to support the ceasefire in Gaza
A LABOR frontman has resigned over Keir Starmer’s refusal to support a ceasefire in Gaza.
Shadow minister for the New Deal for Working People, Imran Hussain, said he was “deeply disturbed” by the Labor leader’s comments on the raging conflict.
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This comes after Starmer refused to support a ceasefire during an LBC interview last month – insisting that Israel has the right to defend itself against the terror group Hamas.
Bradford East MP Hussain claimed his former boss “approved” of the Israeli military’s actions.
In a letter addressed to Starmer, Hussain wrote: “Cutting food, water, electricity and medicine supplies to Palestinians in Gaza is an act of collective punishment that violates international law.”
“Like many others, I was therefore deeply disturbed by your comments.
“They appeared to support such actions by such actions by the Israeli military.”
The MP insisted he would continue to push for a ceasefire from the backbenches.
During an interview with LBC at the Labor Party conference last month, Starmer was asked whether he supported Israel’s move to cut off access to food and supplies to the besieged Gaza Strip.
He told host Nick Ferrari that Israel has “that right,” adding that “Hamas bears responsibility” for the consequences of the conflict.
Just this week, Joe Biden said he had asked Benjamin Netanyahu for a pause in the fighting.
The US President reportedly called for a three-day standoff to secure the release of the hostages.
The White House previously said Mr. Biden and the Israeli prime minister “discussed the possibility of tactical pauses … to allow for a possible release of hostages.”
NEGATIVE PRESSURE
This came after Burnley Council leader Afrasiab Anwar resigned from the party along with ten others.
He said it was “unacceptable” to “blindly follow Rishi Sunak”.
And Pendle Borough Council leader Asjad Mahmood also claimed Starmer had “not listened to calls for a ceasefire” to “stop the innocent loss of life”.
He added that Sir Keir should resign to allow “someone who has compassion to lead our party”.
This came after the opposition leader insisted in a major speech on Tuesday that an immediate ceasefire would only allow Hamas to regain strength and plan even more barbaric terrorist attacks against Israeli civilians.
In his speech, Sir Keir argued that Israel has a fundamental right to self-defense – but must do so within the framework of international law.
Asked if this was happening, the Labor leader said it would take time to make these complex judgments.
Sir Keir also reiterated his call for a “humanitarian pause” in the fighting to allow urgently needed aid to flow to Gaza.
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