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Second group of Labour councillors revolt over Keir Starmer's Israel policy

More than a dozen councillors have resigned from the party within the last week in protest

October 24, 2023 16:52
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MARSTON MORETAINE, BEDFORDSHIRE - OCTOBER 20: Labour Party leader Keir Starmer speaks to media after congratulating newly elected Labour MP for Mid Bedfordshire Alistair Strathern on October 20, 2023 in Marston Moretaine, Bedfordshire. Labour candidate Alistair Strathern overturns Tory majority to win the seat vacated by former Conservative culture secretary Nadine Dorries. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
2 min read

Sir Keir Starmer is facing a growing rebellion over his pro-Israel stance after more than a dozen Labour councillors resigned from the party. 

The Labour leader said in an interview that "Israel had the right" to withhold water and power from Gaza following the Hamas terrorist attack on the Jewish state.

The remarks, made on LBC Radio earlier this month, have prompted 13 councillor resignations in local authorities across England in the last week. 

These include four in Oxford and one each in Haringey, Hounslow, Islington, Kensington, Newham, Nottingham, Cambridge, Stroud and Gedling.