Pressure mounts
Sir Keir Starmer, leader of the Labour Party, is set to meet with Muslim Labour MPs today amid mounting pressure from over 150 councillors to call for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. The councillors expressed their concern in a letter, stating that they cannot stand by while Palestinians face collective punishment.
Nationwide sentiment
The councillors emphasized that there is a strong sentiment across the nation and in their communities that an immediate ceasefire must be called. Some Muslim councillors have already resigned from the Labour Party in protest against its position on the conflict.
Starmer's stance
While Sir Keir has acknowledged Israel's right to defend itself, he has also stressed the need for Israeli forces to operate within the boundaries of international law. However, his comments about Israel turning off water taps in Gaza to achieve military aims sparked outrage within the Muslim community.
Efforts to ease tensions
In an attempt to ease community tensions, Sir Keir visited a mosque in Wales on Sunday. He expressed his support for the release of hostages, increased humanitarian aid to Gaza, and the restoration of basic necessities like water and power. However, the leaders of the mosque criticized the visit, claiming that the Labour leader had misrepresented their congregants and the purpose of his visit.
A call for peace
In their letter, the Muslim councillors stressed the urgency of calling on the government and the international community to push for a cessation of hostilities. They emphasized that innocent lives, particularly those of Gazan children, are being lost every day, and that people simply want an end to the bloodshed.
