Jeremy Corbyn condemns targeting of civilians

Former Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn has spoken out against the targeting of civilians a day after his successor Keir Starmer backed Israel’s “right” to collectively punish Palestinians in Gaza.

The Labour Party is widely expected to win the next UK general election but has not clarified its stance on collective punishment after Starmer’s comments in an interview with the LBC radio station on Wednesday.

Collective punishment methods, such as withdrawal of water and deliberate starvation of a population, are illegal under customary international law.

According to Article 33 of the Geneva Convention IV: "Collective penalties and likewise all measures of intimidation or of terrorism are prohibited."

We should condemn the targeting of all civilian life, no matter who does it.

Why can't our politicians uphold this basic moral principle, and defend international law universally and equally?

How many innocent Palestinian lives should be erased in the name of self-defence?
— Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) October 12, 2023