In a fervent address to the Labour Party’s Scottish conference on Sunday, Keir Starmer, the leader of the opposition, reiterated the pressing need for an immediate cessation of hostilities in Gaza. He specifically urged Israel to refrain from launching an offensive in the city of Rafah.
The impassioned plea from Starmer precedes a crucial Commons vote scheduled for Wednesday, spearheaded by the Scottish National Party (SNP), seeking parliamentary endorsement for an urgent ceasefire.
Starmer’s call for peace comes against the backdrop of internal discord within the Labour Party over its stance on Israel’s response to the October 7 massacre perpetrated by Hamas. Notably, in November, Starmer faced a notable rebellion as 56 Labour MPs defied his directive against supporting a similar motion.
Addressing the assembled delegates, Starmer stressed, “The fighting in Gaza must stop now. We need a ceasefire that endures.” Drawing from his recent participation in the Munich Security Conference, he emphasized the imperative for tangible actions to achieve the desired outcomes of hostage release, cessation of Palestinian casualties, ramped-up humanitarian aid, and a permanent cessation of hostilities.
Starmer underscored the importance of a bilateral ceasefire, asserting that it must encompass a halt to all forms of violence on both sides while paving the way for a substantive peace process. Additionally, he vehemently opposed the prospect of an offensive in Rafah, a densely populated area already grappling with dire living conditions.
Earlier in the day, David Lammy, the shadow foreign secretary, hinted at Labour’s inclination to support the upcoming SNP motion, signaling a potential shift in the party’s stance.
As tensions persist in the region, Starmer’s resolute call for an immediate ceasefire and condemnation of further escalation in Rafah highlights the Labour Party’s stance on the ongoing conflict.
Watch Starmer’s speech below:
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