In a historic statement delivered on Tuesday to the Labour Party Conference to the cheers of attendees, Keir Starmer denounced the attacks carried out by Hamas on southern Israel on Saturday.
The Labour leader spoke before an enthusiastic crowd in Liverpool, saying that his party was dedicated to a two-state solution and an independent Palestinian state. However, he omitted to address Israel’s continued bombing of Gaza.
Following the at least 900 Israelis killed on Saturday by Hamas, 700 Palestinians have been killed by the group’s brutal aerial war and siege on Gaza’s two million residents.
RELATED
“Conference, I am shocked and appalled by the events in Israel and utterly condemn the senseless murder of men, women, and children, including British citizens,” he stated. “UK Labour will challenge Tory bill banning Israel boycott.”
“This party believes in the two-state solution, a Palestinian state alongside a safe and secure Israel but this action by Hamas does nothing for Palestinians and Israel always has the right to defend their people.”
Following the party’s expulsion of thousands of members for antisemitism, the Labour leader made his speech.
This week, Jeremy Corbyn, the former leader of Labour, came under fire for not outright denouncing the murders committed by Hamas.
“I don’t support any attacks therefore I criticise them all,” he stated.
READ ALSO: PSC requests that UK Labour face the’reality of Israel’s practise of apartheid’
The only way to achieve a permanent peace, according to Corbyn, is to put a stop to Israeli occupation in the West Bank and Gaza. He thus called for a “urgent de-escalation” and a “immediate ceasefire.”
After responding to a report on antisemitism in Labour, he was expelled from the party in 2020.
He was later readmitted as a member of Labour, although he still serves as an independent MP without the benefit of the party whip.
In what was probably a dig at the previous Labour leadership, Starmer claimed during his conference speech that he has “ripped antisemitism from its roots” since taking over the party in 2020.
These claims have been refuted by numerous current and past Labour members who claim that criticising Israel does not constitute antisemitism.
With Labour topping surveys by about 20% and seeming like it will form the next government, it is probably the penultimate conference before the next UK general election.
Starmer outlined his goals for a future Labour administration, vowing to erect 1.5 million new residences, improve infrastructure, and represent opportunity.
