Labour shadow cabinet members who openly defy Sir Keir Starmer and call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza would have to resign, the shadow foreign secretary suggested on Wednesday.
David Lammy admitted the party’s decision not to demand a complete suspension of hostilities in the region had resulted in senior MPs receiving a barrage of abuse.
But he added that “collective responsibility is hugely important”.
Asked whether shadow cabinet members who do call for a ceasefire when Labour’s official policy is for a “humanitarian pause” should be sacked, Mr Lammy told BBC Radio 4: “Collective responsibility is hugely important and all shadow cabinet colleagues will be reflecting on that at this difficult time.
“This is dividing families. It is upsetting people right across the country and the global community.”
He added: “All of us subscribed to collective responsibility.”
Sir Keir made what was branded a “make or break” speech on the war on Tuesday amid growing anger among some MPs and councillors about his stance.
The Labour leader repeated his pleas for a “humanitarian pause” in the region.
Shabana Mahmood, the shadow justice secretary, has written to constituents suggesting Israel may be guilty of the “collective punishment” of “innocent civilians” in Gaza.
But she has not openly joined the rebels, who include Mayor Sadiq Khan, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar and 13 junior shadow ministers, in calling for an immediate ceasefire.
It comes amid multiple pro-Palestine protests in London.
More than 500 people joined a rush hour “sit-in” at Liverpool Street station yesterday to demand an end to the fighting and arms exports to Israel.
Chants such as “ceasefire now” could be heard from the crowd at the demonstration, organised by direct action group Sisters Uncut.
Members from other groups including the Palestinian Youth Movement and International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network also spoke at the demonstration. It came after more than 200 people staged a sit-in on the concourse at Waterloo station on Saturday.
