In the wake of Hamas’ October 7 attacks on Israel, Gaza's conflict escalated rapidly. Initially, Starmer resisted calls for an immediate ceasefire, sparking internal turmoil and this crisis peaked in November 2023 when ten Labour members resigned to vote for an SNP motion demanding a ceasefire. After that, Starmer's stance evolved; after a month of party division, he aligned with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, advocating for a "sustainable" ceasefire. This shift was seen as a necessary correction, albeit one that came under considerable internal and external pressure.

Starmer’s handling of the Gaza ceasefire issue has been nothing short of a political debacle. His initial refusal to endorse an immediate ceasefire, even as the conflict escalated, laid bare a worrying lack of decisiveness and empathy with palestinians.

This delay in calling for an end to the violence not only weakened Labour's moral and humanitarian stance but also exposed Starmer to accusations of political opportunism. It’s hard to overlook the fact that his declaration that "the war must stop now" came suspiciously late, suggesting a leader swayed by party pressure rather than one firmly anchored in principled leadership.

In moments of international crisis, leadership demands clarity and compassion—qualities that Starmer appeared to lack in this crucial period.

SOURCES

1st Video: Sir Keir Starmer calls for 'humanitarian pause' in Gaza and ceasefire 'is not the correct decision' - https://www.lbc.co.uk/news/sir-keir-starmer-humanitarian-pause-gaza/

2nd Video: Keir Starmer calls for Gaza ceasefire and says fighting ‘must stop now’ - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04zfwPnch0A

3. What is Labour’s new position on Gaza ceasefire – and will it unite the party? -https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2024/feb/20/what-is-labours-new-position-on-gaza-ceasefire-and-will-it-unite-the-party