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This is an entry from: Israel-Palestine war: First week ends with over 2,500 Palestinians, 1,400 Israelis killed

ICJP slams Keir Starmer for 'extraordinarily disappointing' statement

15 October 2023 00:34 BST

The International Centre of Justice for Palestinians (ICJP), a UK-based legal centre, announced intentions on Saturday to seek to prosecute government officials over alleged complicity in Israeli war crimes in Gaza.

Hours later, Keir Starmer, leader of the UK's opposition Labour Party, issued a statement on X in which he reversed his position on Israel's decision to cut off water and electricity to Gaza.

"We call on all parties to act in line with international law, including allowing humanitarian access of food, water, electricity and medicines to Gaza and ensuring safe humanitarian corridors in Gaza for those fleeing violence," he said in the statement.

On Wednesday, when asked about the cutting of water and electricity, Starmer told broadcaster LBC: "I think that Israel does have that right, it is an ongoing situation."

Even with Starmer walking his previous comments back, the ICJP said his new statement was disappointing, given that he "failed to condemn Israel for its continued breaches of international law" and ignored the killing of innocent Palestinians in Gaza, "including 800 children".

Full ICJP statement:

Earlier today, ICJP announced notice of intention to prosecute UK politicians aiding and abetting war crimes.

Mere hours later, @Keir_Starmer retracted his endorsement of Israel's restrictions of food, water and electricity, illegal under international law.

But Keir Starmer's statement is still extraordinarily disappointing. He has failed to condemn Israel for its continued breaches of international law.

He has ignored the killing of innocent Palestinians in Gaza including 800 children.

Starmer has also failed to reach out to British Palestinians to listen to their concerns. Many British Palestinian families lost loved ones and had their family homes destroyed in Gaza as a result of Israel's indiscriminate bombardment.

But worst of all, Starmer has failed the test of a true leader during conflict and failed to urge a ceasefire despite the knowledge that anything short of an immediate ceasefire will result in the worst loss of Palestinian life the region has ever seen.

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