UK Labour leader Starmer calls for lasting ceasefire between Israel, Hamas
On Sunday, Keir Starmer, leader of the British Labour party, expressed his belief in a long-term truce between Israel and Hamas. This comes as parliament prepares to discuss the ongoing conflict, which has caused tensions within the opposition party.
- Middle East
- Reuters
- Published Date: 05:19 | 18 February 2024
- Modified Date: 05:19 | 18 February 2024
British Labour leader Keir Starmer said on Sunday there should be a lasting ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, setting out his stance before parliament is expected to debate a conflict that has caused division in the opposition party.
With Labour well ahead in the polls before an election later this year, Starmer is keen to present a united front to voters, but the conflict in Gaza has tested that unity.
Nearly a third of his lawmakers defied him last year to back calls for an immediate ceasefire and the party had to withdraw support for a candidate over his comments about Israel earlier this month.
This week, the Scottish National Party is expected to bring a motion to parliament to call for an immediate ceasefire -- something Starmer's foreign policy chief David Lammy said the party would examine and then come to a decision on.
Addressing the Scottish Labour conference, Starmer said: "What we all want to see ... (is) an end to the fighting not just now, not just for a pause, but permanently. A ceasefire that lasts ... that is what must happen now."
He added that any ceasefire could not be one-sided.
Earlier, Starmer, like Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, had called for a "sustainable ceasefire" and his aides said his words did not amount to a change in position.
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