Katy Balls Katy Balls

Keir Starmer’s Israel problem is growing

(Credit: Getty images)

It wasn’t so long ago that Keir Starmer was being widely praised for keeping his party united and on message over Israel at Labour’s conference in Liverpool. But fast forward a few weeks and the Labour leader is under pressure over his stance on Israel’s right to defend itself following the terror attacks by Hamas on 7 October.

The trouble started as a result of an interview Starmer gave to LBC soon after the attacks. Speaking in Liverpool, LBC’s Nick Ferrari asked Starmer whether ‘cutting off power, cutting off water’ was appropriate as a response to the atrocity. The Labour leader replied:

‘I think that Israel does have that right…It is an ongoing situation. Obviously, everything should be done within international law.’

The clip has since gone viral and led to a backlash from his own side. Around 23 councillors have resigned over his comments. In Oxford, the party has lost its majority on the council as a result, with eight councillors quitting.

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