Chris Jarvis 21 October 2023
Labour’s primary left wing faction Momentum has launched a new tool seeking to pressure Labour MPs to press for a ceasefire in Gaza. The tool has been sent to thousands of Labour members and supporters and analyses whether Labour MPs have committed to an immediate ceasefire and enables people to write to MPs who have not done so.
Momentum launched the tool on the day that left wing Labour MP Richard Burgon launched an Early Day Motion (EDM) in parliament which calls for an immediate ceasefire, a ‘cessation of hostilities’, and for humanitarian aid to be allowed into Gaza. The EDM has been signed by MPs from Labour, the SNP, the Green Party, Plaid Cymru, the SNP and others. Among the high profile signatories are the former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, Green MP Caroline Lucas, Plaid Cymu’s parliamentary leader Liz Saville Roberts, and the Labour MPs John McDonnell, Clive Lewis and Zarah Sultana.
The Labour leader Keir Starmer has come under increasing pressure over the last week as a series of Labour councillors have quit the Party in protest at Starmer’s position on Gaza. In an interview on LBC, Starmer said Israel “does have that right” in response to a question on whether a blockade cutting off water and electricity was appropriate. He went on to say that Israel must act within international law, but failed to acknowledge that the siege on Gaza is illegal by virtue of constituting collective punishment, and has since claimed that he did not support the siege on Gaza and was instead merely saying that Israel has a right to defend itself.
Since that interview, Starmer has consistently resisted calls to support a ceasefire.
Speaking on Starmer’s position and the launch of the tool, a Momentum spokesperson said : “Israel’s war crimes have caused an intensifying humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, as recognised by the UN and WHO.
“The Conservative Government has effectively given a green light to Israeli war crimes. As an avowedly internationalist party, Labour must do better. Yet whilst we welcome Keir Starmer’s rolling back of previous, shameful support for denying Palestinian civilians access to food, water and power, the Labour Leadership has failed to oppose other war crimes and has stood by as indiscriminate Israeli bombing has taken the lives of thousands of Palestinian civilians, including more than a thousand children, while up to a million have been forcibly displaced. Even now, the Labour Leadership refuses to back a ceasefire.
“As Labour members and councillors across the country make known their deep discomfort with the Leadership’s stance, we call on every Labour MP: speak up now for an immediate ceasefire to end the bloodshed. Every minute counts.”
According to Momentum, around one in five Labour MPs have now supported the call for an immediate ceasefire. This rises to nearly half of all backbench Labour MPs.
Momentum has launched its tool as Keir Starmer is struggling to keep divisions over Palestine under control. More than 20 Labour councillors have already resigned their party membership, with more expected in the coming weeks.
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STARMER IS A RED TORY
Oxford councillors quit Labour over Starmer comments on Israel-Hamas war
GETTY IMAGES/DAN KITWOODSix more Labour councillors have quit the party after comments from Sir Keir Starmer on the Israel-Hamas war.
The news comes after two members of Oxford City Council left the party last weekend.
Councillors Imogen Thomas, Edward Mundy, Paula Dunne, Duncan Hall, Dr Hosnieh Djafari-Marbini and Jabu Nala-Hartley all resigned on Friday evening.
They cited the Labour leadership's "refusal to condemn collective punishment of Palestinians".
In a collective statement the councillors said: "At a time when it's been crucial to call for an immediate ceasefire and a de-escalation, and to insist Israel abides by international law, Keir Starmer and the shadow foreign secretary have instead endorsed collective punishment, blockade, siege and mass civilian casualties.
"As Starmer has said, 'Israel has that right' to continue deadly attacks on Gazans. This is complicity in war crimes."
The statement continued: "We have been proud to represent our communities and do not take the decision to resign from Labour lightly.
"In a choice between serving our parties or justice, we have chosen justice."
The councillors will now all represent their wards as Independents.
"everything should be done within international law"
Sir Keir said Hamas "bears responsibility".
Speaking to LBC, from the Labour party conference earlier this month, he said Israel "does have that right" to withhold power and water from Palestinian civilians, though "everything should be done within international law".
On Friday, the Labour leader wanted to clarify his comments, saying: "I was not saying that Israel had the right to cut off water, food, fuel or medicines.
"On the contrary. For over a week now, I have been leading the charge calling for that humanitarian aid to come in."
Sir Keir has met with councillors as he works to repair the damage caused by the remarks on the politically fraught subject.
The most recent resignations come after fellow Oxford City councillors Shaista Aziz and Amar Latif quit on 14 October in reaction to the comments.
Council leader Susan Brown said she was "disappointed" by their decision but added: "Keir Starmer has reiterated this week that Israel has the right to defend itself, but must act in accordance with international law."
In her statement on their decision, Ms Brown said: "We all abhor the barbaric terrorist attacks committed by Hamas, and Labour stands in solidarity with the innocent civilians in Israel and Gaza in the face of continuing violence and suffering through lack of basic necessities. We are all hoping for a peaceful outcome soon."
She added: "Oxford Labour continues to support out local Jewish and Muslim communities, who are both grieving. It is also vital that we all play our part in ensuring that Anti-Semitism and Islamophobia have no place in our city and we will continue to support all of Oxford's faith communities."
British and Israeli Jews protest the Israeli Ambassador
Tzipi Hotovely is one of the most hard-line Israeli ambassadors to the UK ever. So it was to the doorstep of her official residence, in one of the most wealthy and exclusive London neighbourhoods, that British and Israeli Jews took their anger this evening. A press release from the organisers stated: ‘On Friday night, we light Shabbat and memorial candles, not in our homes but at the address of the Israeli ambassador. We will raise our voices for peace and justice. We will tell Tzipi Hotovely that we are witnesses to her State’s crimes and will never be silent. We also call for an end to Israel’s 16-year blockade of the Gazan people and its brutal occupation of Palestine. We mourn for all the Palestinians and Israelis killed and seek an end to this cycle of violence. We know that the atrocities committed by one side will inevitably rebound on the other until we find a path of justice and equality.’
Placards in Hebrew carried slogans “The people demand a ceasefire”, “End the blockade”, “War crimes do not justify war crimes”, and “Protect all civilians”. Chants in both Hebrew and English demanded an immediate ceasefire that the Israeli government start meaningful negotiations with Hamas over the estimated 200 hostages and allow aid into Gaza through the Rafah crossing, which borders Egypt. The protest, which numbered around thirty five, was organised by word of mouth and continued outside the ambassador’s mansion for over an hour with songs and chanting. A similar number of cops also attended it. An update was given about the plight of a friend of those present. A British citizen was visiting family in Gaza with her baby when the fighting started. She remains trapped there with only occasional communication as the infrastructure is destroyed and electricity becomes increasingly scarce.
Eran Kahane, one of the organisers of the protest, said: “We, British Jews and Israelis, protested by the Israeli ambassador’s house tonight, Shabbat night, for our friend who is trapped in Gaza with her baby and for all the Gazans trapped by the Israeli siege and heavy bombardments, as well as for the Israeli hostages held by Hamas. We lit Shabbat and memorial candles for all the victims – Israelis, Palestinians and others – of the barbaric attack by Hamas and the current revenge attack by Israel. Only an end to the Israeli occupation can stop the vicious cycle of bloodshed!”
Naomi Wimborne-Idrissi from JVL said: “It is vital for us Jews, who value equality, justice and respect for all human life, to challenge the false notion that our safety depends on destroying other people. The Israeli state, led by racist extremists contemptuous of the values we hold dear, is engaged in a genocidal project to rid the land of Palestine of its indigenous inhabitants. We cannot stand by and let our own leaders cheer on the ethnic cleansing happening before our very eyes, knowing that the cost will be intolerable – in the blood of those dying in Gaza and the illegally occupied territories and in the deadly divisive consequences for communities here in Britain.”
Today’s protest follows on from one by Na’amod (British Jews Against the Occupation) on Thursday October 19th, which saw hundreds gathered in Parliament Square, London. “We will not let our grief be weaponised to justify genocide”. Their demands were a ceasefire, an end to the siege on Gaza, and the release of the hostages.
The national Free Palestine demonstration on October 21st will have a Jewish bloc called by The Black Jewish Alliance, Jewdas, Jewish Solidarity Action, Jewish Socialists’ Group, Jews for Justice for Palestinians and Na’amod. The meeting point is outside Pret a Manger, 26 Edgeware Rd, from 11.30 am.
Rishi Sunak ignites outpour of anger for telling Israel ‘We want you to win’
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As part of a two-day tour of the Middle East this week to meet with political leaders, Rishi Sunak held a joint press conference with Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel. The Israeli prime minister is facing criticism at home for failure to anticipate Hamas’s attacks and for his government’s expansionist policies which have intensified tensions with Palestine.
In rhetoric recalling Winston Churchill, Sunak said he was “proud to stand you [Netanyahu] in Israel’s darkest hour as your friend.” He said Israel has both a “right and duty” to “go after” Hamas to restore its security. He also thanked Netanyahu for the country’s support in attempting to free British nationals who are reportedly being held hostage by Hamas.
“The last thing for me to close on is this: you describe this as Israel’s darkest hour. Well then it is for me to say I’m proud to stand here with you in Israel’s darkest hour as your friend. We will stand with you in solidarity, we will stand with your people. And we also want you to win,” said the British prime minister.
The comments, made just days after a hospital was bombed in Gaza, which is believed to have killed between 100 and 300 people, ignited an outpour of anger.
Oxfam condemned the language the prime minister used as “wrong” and criticised him for failing to call for a ceasefire.
“Nobody wins when the scale of human suffering, devastation and pain is so vast and relentless,” said the charity.
The Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) said that Sunak’s comments were “providing endorsement for Israel to continue its massacres.”
PSC director Ben Jamal said the PM was “endorsing the complete abandonment of international law and the committing of war crimes.”
“The only useful thing his visit could achieve would be to insist Israel call a ceasefire, end the siege of Gaza and allow full humanitarian aid to reach the people of Gaza.
“That he won’t do so is to his eternal shame,” he said.
Many shared their dismay of the comments online. Posting on X, one user wrote:
“We want you to win” Rishi Sunak tells Israel leader Netanyahu. Win what? This isn’t toy soldiers, this isn’t a game? There will never be any winners, you stupid, unqualified, unelected, ridiculous, irrelevant, irresponsible and silly man.”
Another wrote: “This is the problem of someone with zero political ability getting involved in war – there has to be a winner – not a thought about trying to achieve peaceful resolution.”
“Lives are not political footballs, this is not a game. Nobody wins in war. I feel sick,” wrote another dismayed observer.
Sunak’s comments came as calls mount for a ceasefire in Gaza. A new poll found the overwhelming majority of the British public would support a ceasefire. According to the poll from YouGov, 56 percent of the public think there definitely should be a ceasefire in Gaza, with 18 percent thinking there probably should.
A growing number of high-profile political figures are joining calls for an immediate ceasefire, with climate activist Greta Thunberg being the latest. She joins a group of more than 50 British MPs, including Jeremy Corbyn, Caroline Lucas and John McDonnell, who have signed an Early Day Motion in parliament calling on the UK government to push for “immediate de-escalation and cessation of hostilities” and an “end to the total siege of Gaza.”
“The world needs to speak up and call for an immediate ceasefire, justice and freedom for Palestinians and all civilians affected,” said Thunberg.
Gabrielle Pickard-Whitehead is a contributing editor to Left Foot Forward
Image credit: YouTube screen grab
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