Keir Starmer mosque visit sparks criticism

Labour leader Keir Starmer has faced fresh criticism from the Muslim community in the UK after posting a tweet saying he had used a visit to a mosque in South Wales to reiterate the party's call for Hamas to release hostages held in Gaza since its attack on southern Israel.

Posting on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, following his visit to the South Wales Islamic Centre, Starmer said: "I repeated our calls for all hostages to be released, more humanitarian aid to enter Gaza, for the water and power to be switched back on, and a renewed focus on the two-state solution."

Since his post, the Cardiff mosque has faced a backlash over its decision to host Starmer, who has faced previous criticism over comments in which he appeared to defend Israel's decision to cut off electricity and water to the Gaza Strip.

While Faridah asked Kier Starmer: "What exactly can the Muslim community in the south of Wales do about [releasing hostages]? Or are you assuming that all Muslims are Hamas?"

Read more: Starmer uses mosque visit to demand Hamas release hostages