'He belongs in The Hague': Keir Starmer fiercely criticised over Gaza speech
The Prime Minister has faced fierce criticism following a speech where he said the 'appalling scenes in Gaza are unrelenting' and called for the need for a regional 'lasting peace'.
However, despite his comments where he claims his 'ultimate goal' is to improve the lives of Palestinian's he has been told his government are "complicit" in the suffering of tens of thousands of people in Gaza due to his inaction against Israel.
Starmer is under increasing pressure to recognise a Palestinian state, as 221 MPs signed a cross-party letter, organised by the Labour backbencher Sarah Champion, demanding he take the step.
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It comes as French President Emmanuel Macron declared France would recognise a Palestinian state in September at a UN conference earlier this week.
On Friday, Starmer set out his pathway where a Palestinian state could be recognised in a speech.
He said: 'The appalling scenes in Gaza are unrelenting. The continued captivity of hostages, the starvation and denial of humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people, the increasing violence from extremist settler groups, and Israel's disproportionate military escalation in Gaza are all indefensible.
'Alongside our closest allies, I am working on a pathway to peace in the region, focused on the practical solutions that will make a real difference to the lives of those that are suffering in this war.
'That pathway will set out the concrete steps needed to turn the ceasefire so desperately needed, into a lasting peace.
Starmer added: 'Recognition of a Palestinian state has to be one of those steps. I am unequivocal about that. But it must be part of a wider plan which ultimately results in a two-state solution and lasting security for Palestinians and Israelis. This is the way to ensure it is a tool of maximum utility to improve the lives of those who are suffering – which of course, will always be our ultimate goal.'
Former Labour MP Zarah Sultana was one of many people who has criticised the Prime Minister for failing to call out the ongoing genocide in [[Gaza]] and highlighted the UK Government's complicity in the ongoing war on the region.
She wrote on Twitter/X: 'The 'appalling scenes in [[Gaza]]' have been enabled by the arms, surveillance & diplomatic cover Keir Starmer's Labour government have provided to a genocidal apartheid state.
(Image: Jeff Moore)
'He still refuses to call it a genocide because he is complicit in it.
'Keir Starmer belongs in The Hague.'
Journalist Matt Kennard also shared Sultana's calls for Starmer to stand in The Hague to answer for the UK Government's complicity in Gaza as he said: 'Another British spy plane literally in the sky over Gaza collecting intelligence for Israel as he posted this statement.
'Starmer belongs in the Hague. We must make sure he ends up there.'
The charity Save the Children also shared Starmer's speech, where they edited the text to remove passive language like 'unfolding' and 'situation' and replaced it with words like 'deliberate' and 'assault' as well as attributing the horrific starvation of Palestinians to Israel.
Along with the graphic, the charity replied: 'Fixed it for you, Keir Starmer.
'The UK is an ally to Israel's atrocities in Gaza and the West Bank.
'Now is the time to make our voices heard: Call on the UK Government to end its complicity.'
Meanwhile, sharing a picture of Starmer during his speech, prominent trade unionist Howard Beckett, said: 'A picture that will chime through history.
'Starmer's GB is damned. He should answer in The Hague.'
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