Labour's Stance on Israel-Hamas War Divides Party

Keir Starmer's Statement to the House of Commons

23 October 2023

The Labour Party has called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza for the first time, marking a shift in policy that has sparked criticism from within the party.

Labour leader Keir Starmer made the announcement in the House of Commons on Monday, saying that the ongoing conflict had caused "unimaginable suffering for the people of Gaza" and that a ceasefire was "essential to prevent further bloodshed."

Starmer's statement was met with mixed reactions from Labour MPs. Some welcomed the call for a ceasefire, while others criticized it as being too soft on Hamas. The party's foreign affairs spokesperson, Lisa Nandy, said that Starmer's statement "did not go far enough" and that the party should also be calling for an end to the Israeli blockade of Gaza.

The divisions within the Labour party over the Israel-Hamas war deepened on Wednesday, when several MPs publicly criticized Starmer's stance. Former shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry said that Starmer was "wrong" to call for a ceasefire without also calling for an end to the Israeli occupation of Gaza.

The Labour party's stance on the Israel-Hamas war is likely to continue to be a source of division within the party. The party is currently far ahead in the polls before a July 4 election, but its position on the conflict could alienate some voters.