Sir Keir Starmer has written to Labor MPs following a number of resignations over his stance on the Middle East crisis.
Labor leaders have repeatedly insisted that Israel has the right to defend itself within international law.
But his comments in a radio interview last week angered some labor activists.
in LBC radio interview Sir Keir said last week that Israel had a “right to self-defense” after Palestinian militant group Hamas launched an unprecedented attack on October 7 that killed 1,400 people.
He added that this includes “all means” to get the hostages “safely and soundly” to mainland Gaza.
Asked whether it was appropriate as part of Israel’s response to cut off water and electricity supplies to the Gaza Strip, he said: “I think Israel has the right to do that. It’s an ongoing situation.” I answered.
“Of course, everything should be done within the bounds of international law, but we do not want to deviate from the fundamental principle that Israel has the right to defend itself.”
Some Labor MPs have left the party over Sir Keir’s comments, which they claim are tantamount to supporting collective punishment of Palestinians, contrary to international law.
But on Wednesday, a week after the interview was broadcast, Sir Keir’s press secretary defused the controversy by suggesting that the Labor leader had only meant to say that Israel had a right of general self-defence. I tried.
So far, around 12 of Labor’s more than 6,000 MPs have reportedly resigned over Sir Keir’s stance.
Two of them, Oxford City Councilors Shaista Aziz and Amal Latif, said Sir Keir’s comments “appear to condone the use of collective punishment against Gaza residents in direct contravention of international law”. Ta.
Learn more about the Israel-Gaza war
But speaking to reporters on Wednesday, a spokesman for Sir Keir said his answer that Israel had “that right” referred only to the general right to defend itself.
He added that there were “overlapping questions and answers” during the LBC interview, and that the Labor leader had “consistently” said in all interviews that Israel should abide by international law.
The Labor leader added that he had also written to all party MPs to play their part in ensuring the party’s position was “communicated to voters” in their local areas.
In the letter, First reported by the New StatesmanSir Keir said there was a need for “humanitarian corridors and humanitarian access, including food, water, electricity and medicines” for people in the Gaza Strip, as well as protection for aid workers.
video call
“Labour is clear: Israel has the right to defend itself, to keep its people safe and to bring its hostages home,” he wrote, adding that this “must be done in accordance with international law.” .
This comes after Mr Sir Keir’s chief of staff Sue Gray and Labour’s shadow foreign secretary David Lammy had a video call on Monday night to discuss the party’s response.
The call was an opportunity for lawmakers to “express their views,” the people said, but the party had no intention of changing its position as a result of the meeting.
Some on the party’s left have joined the SNP in calling on the government, as well as Sir Keir, to back a ceasefire to protect civilians.
But the Labor leader, like Chancellor Rishi Sunak, refused to back the call and reiterated his support for Israel’s right to self-defence.
Sir Keir has sought to present a united front with the government over the dispute, arguing that political division would help “enemies of peace and democracy”.
On Wednesday, Foreign Secretary James Cleverley told MPs he had seen “nothing” to suggest Hamas would respect the ceasefire.
