Keir Starmer has pushed with Israel’s Prime Minister for a ceasefire in Gaza in one of his first international phone calls since assuming office.
The new Prime Minister “set out the clear and urgent need for a ceasefire” to Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu in a phone call this morning, a Downing Street statement has confirmed.
Starmer also said that he looked forward to “further deepening” relations between the United Kingdom and Israel during the call.
In a subsequent call with Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas, the Prime Minister said that statehood was an “undeniable right” for the Palestinian people.
It comes after many Labour candidates faced assertive challenges from independents standing on a pro-Palestine platform, with frontbencher Jonathan Ashworth being among the most high profile party figures to lose his seat to such an independent.
Other constituencies including Ilford North and Birmingham Ladywood – represented by cabinet members Wes Streeting and Shabana Mahmood – saw their Labour incumbents narrowly hold on in the face of pro-Palestine independent challengers.
Keir Starmer drew fierce criticism following an LBC interview last autumn when he seemed to suggest Israel had a right to withhold power and water supplies from Gaza amid Israel’s military operations following the October 7 Hamas terror attacks.
He later said he had only referred to Israel’s right to defend itself and that its retaliation to the Hamas attacks must follow international law.
PUBLISHED ON JULY 07, 2024 | THE GULF NEWS
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer affirmed the UK's supportive position for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, providing humanitarian assistance and releasing the hostages.
Speaking on the phone with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Starmer called for proceeding with the Palestinian government's rehabilitation programs, affirming his readiness to work together accordingly.
Starmer pointed out that UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy will soon visit Palestine to continue the political discussions and reinforce the cooperative relationships between the two countries.
For his part, the Palestinian President expressed his confidence that the formation of the new British government would contribute to strengthening relations between the two countries. He apprised the UK Prime Minister of the latest developments in the Palestinian territories, along with the prompt need for response to the international ceasefire efforts, getting humanitarian assistance, withdrawal of the Israeli occupation forces from the entire Gaza enclave, and releasing the Palestinian funds seized by Israel.
Abbas underlined his readiness to work with the UK Prime Minister in peace-making efforts through the two-state solution based on international legitimacy, calling for the importance of the UK's recognition of the State of Palestine.
UK's new Premier Starmer calls for 'clear, urgent' need for cease-fire in Gaza
Starmer thanks Netanyahu for his congratulations, looks forward to 'further deepening the close relationship' between the two countries
Muhammed Enes Calli |07.07.2024 - TRT/AA
ISTANBUL
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Sunday emphasized the need for a "clear and urgent" cease-fire in Gaza, the Palestinian enclave where Israel has killed more than 38,000 Palestinians in nine months and reduced it to a rubble.
Speaking on the phone with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Starmer "reiterated his condolences for the tragic loss of life following the October attacks," his office said in a statement.
"He then set out the clear and urgent need for a ceasefire, the return of hostages and an immediate increase in the volume of humanitarian aid reaching civilians," it added.
Starmer thanked Netanyahu for his congratulations, and said he looked forward to "further deepening the close relationship" between the two countries.
He said "it was also important to ensure the long-term conditions for a two-state solution were in place, including ensuring the Palestinian Authority had the financial means to operate effectively," the statement said.
Starmer also spoke with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, according to a separate statement.
"The Prime Minister updated President Abbas on his immediate priorities, including securing a ceasefire, the return of hostages, an increase and acceleration in humanitarian aid, and financial support for the Palestinian Authority," the statement said.
"Discussing the importance of reform, and ensuring international legitimacy for Palestine, the Prime Minister said that his longstanding policy on recognition to contribute to a peace process had not changed, and it was the undeniable right of Palestinians," the readout added.
Israel has pounded the Gaza Strip since a cross-border attack by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023 which killed some 1,200 people and took around 250 as hostages.
Besides the casualties, the military campaign has turned much of the enclave of 2.3 million people into ruins, leaving most civilians homeless and at risk of famine. Efforts for a permanent cease-fire after a brief truce in November have not borne fruit.
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