Keir Starmer tells Netanyahu there is a ‘urgent’ need for a ceasefire

Keir Starmer has said that recognition of the state of Palestine as part of a Middle East peace process is an ‘undeniable right’ as he told his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu that there is a ‘clear and urgent’ need for a ceasefire.

The prime minister spoke to the Palestinian president on Sunday about the ‘ongoing suffering and devastating loss of life’ in Gaza after his Labour party’s election manifesto committed the party to recognising a Palestinian state as part of a process that results in a two-state solution alongside Israel . A Downing Street spokeswoman said: ‘The Prime Minister said he was pleased to be able to speak to President Abbas so early in his tenure… and updated him on his immediate priorities, including securing a ceasefire, the return of hostages, an increase and acceleration in humanitarian aid and financial support for the Palestinian Authority.’

‘Discussing the importance of reform, and ensuring international legitimacy for Palestine, the Prime Minister said that his longstanding policy on recognition to contribute to a peace process had not changed, and it was the undeniable right of Palestinians.’

In his call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Sir Keir ‘reiterated his condolences for the tragic loss of life following the October attacks’ and then set out the ‘clear and urgent need for a ceasefire, the return of hostages and an immediate increase in the volume of humanitarian aid reaching civilians’. ‘He added that it was also important to ensure the long-term conditions for a two-state solution were in place, including ensuring the Palestinian Authority had the financial means to operate effectively.’

Sir Keir also said the situation on the northern border of Israel, where exchanges of fire with Lebanon-based Hezbollah have been taking place, was ‘very concerning’ and it was ‘crucial all parties acted with caution’. Labour’s position on Gaza and its initial refusal to call for an immediate ceasefire cost the party votes and seats despite its general election landslide. The party had faced challenged from pro-Gaza candidates in the general election as anger rose from within the nation’s Muslim communities over its initial pre-election position on the conflict that was sparked on October 7.

Efforts to secure a ceasefire and hostage release in Gaza gathered momentum on Friday after Hamas made a revised proposal on the terms of a deal, and Israel said negotiations would continue into next week. Frontbencher Jonathan Ashworth was unseated by an independent in Leicester South in part because of the party’s stance on the issue. Ashworth lost out to independent candidate Shockat Adam by less than 1,000 votes.

Mr Adam stood on an overtly pro-Gaza ticket, pledging to place pressure on government to bring about an immediate ceasefire in the strip, and was endorsed by Jeremy Corbyn. His website alludes to a ‘genocide’ by Israel and said that ‘many have expressed feeling betrayed and ignored on this matter’. The constituency has a strong British-Muslim population.

Before Sir Keir emerged victorious in the election, just four months ago, he and his wife were targeted by pro-Palestinian protesters while walking through London at night. In a video posted by Camden Friends of Palestine on the X social media site, the Labour leader and Victoria were seen arm in arm crossing a road. As security ushered the Starmers towards a car, the activists can be heard hurling insults such as ‘you’re not human’ and ‘you’re complicit in genocide’.

The Prime Minister’s latest remarks come after David Lammy (pictured), the new foreign minister, said yesterday that Britain wants a balanced position on the war in the Middle East and will use diplomatic efforts to ensure a ceasefire is reached and hostages held by Palestinian militant group Hamas are released. Lammy, while on a trip to Berlin, Germany – his first international trip following the Labour Party’s thumping victory in Britain’s election on Friday, said: ‘The time has come for the United Kingdom to reconnect with the outside world. ‘I want to get back to a balanced position on Israel and Gaza. We’ve been very clear that we want to see a ceasefire… We want to see those hostages out.’ He added: ‘The fighting has to stop, the aid has got to get in, and I will use all diplomatic efforts to ensure that we get to that ceasefire.’

Lammy did not elaborate on what exact efforts would be used to make this happen. Gaza health authorities say more than 38,000 Palestinians have been killed in the offensive launched in response to a Hamas-led assault on Israel last October 7 in which 1,200 people were killed and over 250 taken hostage, according to Israeli tallies. Lammy also said Britain would seek to reset its position globally on issues including the climate crisis as well as key relationships, such as with European and emerging powers. ‘Let us put the Brexit years behind us… there’s much that we can do together,’ Lammy said, pointing to a previously floated idea of a UK-EU security pact. Lammy on Sunday travelled to Poland and Sweden, where he focussed on discussions on areas including cooperation on NATO and the war in Ukraine.

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