“While I understand why some are calling for a ceasefire, I do not believe it is the right decision at this time,” he said, speaking to reporters after a speech at the British Institute of International Relations (Chatham House) this morning. A ceasefire would allow Hamas to continue attacks and hold more than 200 hostages, he argued, and would “effectively deny self-defense to a sovereign state”.
“Humanitarian pauses are a practical, achievable and feasible solution that allows aid to mitigate the urge others to support a ceasefire, which can realistically be implemented in the future to allow this to happen,” it summarized.
A United Nations (UN) General Assembly resolution in favor of an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip that has divided EU countries was approved by 120 votes on Friday.
The United States and Israel voted against and the United Kingdom abstained.
Starmer’s speech was a response to growing discontent within the party over Labour’s stance on the conflict.
According to The Guardian newspaper, at least 13 members of the so-called “shadow government” support the ceasefire, which has been publicly expressed by the mayors of London, Sadiq Khan and Manchester Andy Burnham, and the leader of the Scottish Labor Party. , Anas Sarwar.
Labor MP Andy MacDonald was suspended from a parliamentary committee on Thursday for comments he made at a pro-Palestine rally last weekend.
According to Sky News, the vice-chancellor told those present: “We will not rest until justice is served. Until all Israelis and Palestinians between the river and the sea live in peace and freedom.
The British government felt that the use of the phrase “from the river to the sea” to refer to the land between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea could be interpreted as an invitation to the end of the State of Israel.
On Thursday, Conservative MP Paul Bristow was sacked from his role at the Ministry of Culture for calling for a “permanent ceasefire” in Gaza and arguing that Palestinians were being subjected to “collective punishment” by Israel.
BM // APN
By Impala News / Lusa
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