Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has proposed a vote on the party’s stance on the Israel-Hamas conflict, in a bid to preserve unity. The proposed Commons amendment reflects concerns over the number of civilian casualties, and calls for longer suspensions of fighting to enable the delivery of aid. However, the amendment, although only echoing the leader’s position, does not request an immediate ceasefire in the conflict. Meanwhile, almost 50 councillors have resigned from the party over its position on the conflict. Dozens of Labour MPs have also opposed their leader to call for a ceasefire, and 19 frontbenchers have publicly diverged from party positions.
Shadow minister Imran Hussain, who left his position last week to campaign for an immediate ceasefire, is among them. Sir Keir maintains that a ceasefire would not be appropriate because it would freeze the conflict and encourage Hamas. Rather, the party, along with the US, the European Union, and the Conservative government, is calling for “humanitarian pauses” that could provide aid to Gaza. These tend to be brief and are meant to offer humanitarian relief only, without attempting to achieve long-term political solutions.
Labour is facing a vote on Wednesday by the Scottish National Party calling for a ceasefire, which could put the party’s position under significant strain. Fears are that some frontbenchers might resign so they can vote for the SNP motion, which is an amendment to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s programme for government, the King’s Speech, unveiled recently. Labour has, however, submitted its own amendment, but the speaker of the Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, will decide if either motion, including both, should be voted on Wednesday.
The Labour amendment recognizes Israel’s right to self-defense following Hamas’s “horrific terrorist attack” on 7 October, in which 1,200 people were killed and over 200 taken into captivity. However, it also recognizes “too much suffering, including far too many deaths of innocent civilians and children” since Israel began attacking Gaza in response. Last week, the US specified that Israel would start to implement daily 4-hour military pauses in Northern Gaza. Meanwhile, Foreign Office minister Andrew Mitchell commented that more extended humanitarian pauses covering a more extensive region would be necessary, with shadow foreign secretary David Lammy calling for a “comprehensive” humanitarian pause
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