MEND Statement: Keir Starmer’s refusal to call for a ceasefire is shameful

On 31st October 2023 Sir Keir Starmer gave a speech at Chatham House in which he reiterated his refusal to call for a ceasefire. He talked about the “Men, women, children, babies murdered, mutilated and tortured by the terrorists of Hamas” and called for the hostages held by Hamas to be released.

He called Hamas’ actions “terrorism on a scale and brutality that few countries have ever experienced”. He talked about “urgent alleviation of Palestinian suffering” and giving them aid, including food, water and electricity, in contrast to his previous comment.

However he did not comment on the relentless Israeli bombing campaign waged against Palestinian civilians that has caused this suffering, with 10,000 Palestinians dead, including over 3,000 children. He did not mention ethnic cleansing, war crimes or the illegal use of white phosphorus in civilian areas, which is causing horrible and painful burns that overstretched hospitals are struggling to treat. He did not mention the thousands of Palestinians held hostage, including hundreds of children, held hostage in Israeli prisons.

We can only conclude that with his explicit refusal to support a ceasefire he is happy to see the above suffering continue.

This, from a human rights lawyer, is somewhat unbelievable and a grotesque betrayal of not only the Palestinian people but every citizen in the UK that believes in human rights and stands against genocide

We will not forget his empty words of “support” for Palestinians and unwavering support of Israel as it commits these crimes.