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Starmer: Hamas sought to bring death upon their fellow Muslims in Gaza

Labour leader refuses to bow to pressure within his party for him to call for a ceasefire

October 31, 2023 17:50
Starmer Chatham House
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 31: Labour Party leader Keir Starmer delivers his speech on October 31, 2023 in London, England. The Labour party leader has been under pressure to articulate a policy on the Israel-Hamas war to resolve tensions within his party. Some prominent Labour politicians have vocally supported a ceasefire, while others, including Starmer, have only called for a "humanitarian pause." (Photo by Peter Nicholls/Getty Images)
3 min read

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has reiterated his insistence that now is not the time to call for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war, saying that this would only invite future violence and nullify the search for peace.

In a major foreign policy speech at the Royal Institute of International Affairs headquarters at Chatham House in London, Starmer said he understood why many in his party – including members of the shadow cabinet – were urging him to make such a call.

But he said he was determined to resist it, despite the fact that some 60 Labour MPs and 250 councillors have stated they are in favour, along with Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, London mayor Sadiq Khan and his Manchester counterpart Andy Burnham. 

Protesters greeted Starmer’s arrival and mobbed his car after the speech.