Keir Starmer Israel

Labour Friends Of Israel

Sir Keir Starmer faces major backbench revolt over Israel

56 Labour MPs vote for immediate end to Israeli airstrikes

Labour leader says Israel has right to self-defence but not to limit essential supplies to Gaza

Sir Keir Starmer is facing a major rebellion over his stance on the Israel-Gaza war, with 56 Labour MPs voting for an immediate end to the Israeli airstrikes. The Labour leader said Israel had a right to self-defence but not to limit essential supplies to Gaza.

The vote came after a week of intense pressure on Starmer from within his own party, with a number of Labour MPs calling for him to take a tougher line against Israel. The vote is a significant blow to Starmer's authority, and it is likely to raise questions about his leadership.

Starmer is now set for a showdown with Labour MPs later over the party's position on the Israel-Hamas conflict. The party is due to debate a motion on the issue at its annual conference next week, and Starmer is likely to face further pressure to change his stance.

The vote is the latest in a series of setbacks for Starmer since he became Labour leader in April. He has been criticized for his handling of the party's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and he has also been accused of being too close to the party's trade unions.

The rebellion by Labour MPs over Israel is a further sign of the challenges facing Starmer as he tries to unite the party and prepare for the next general election.

Financial Times