HUMZA Yousaf has launched a furious attack on the Prime Minister and the UK Labour leader for failing to call for a ceasefire in Gaza – asking “how many more children have to die?”.
The First Minister, whose in-laws are trapped in the region due to the hostilities, said he cannot understand the positions of Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer - both of whom have stopped short of calling for an end to fighting to allow civilians to leave and aid to enter the territory.
Speaking in an interview with LBC, he said found their stance “infuriating”.
“We are seeing thousands of people die, children die,” he said. “How many more children have to die before a ceasefire is called for?
“We are calling for a ceasefire, I cannot understand Sir Keir Starmer’s position, I cannot understand the Prime Minister’s position, and I ask them how many more children have to die before you join us and join many across the world, including the United Nations, and call for that ceasefire.
“I call on all parties to commit to a ceasefire for the sake of those innocent children who are suffering so badly.”
He also reiterated his plea in a post on Twitter/X, saying: “I can not understand the PM’s position, or Keir Starmer’s unwillingness to call on all parties to commit to an immediate ceasefire.
“How many more children have to die?”
Starmer is continuing to resist calls from within some in his party for a ceasefire in the Hamas-Israel conflict.
The Labour leader (below) has moved to back calls, including from the Prime Minister, for a move to humanitarian pauses in a bid to protect civilians.
A spokesman for Starmer said: “We have said throughout that we would support any initiative to get more aid in and help get hostages out. We saw that Antony Blinken said last night that humanitarian pauses must be considered, that seems to be something that Downing Street is now echoing and we would obviously full support that position.”
Asked about calls for a complete ceasefire, the spokesman said: “We fully recognise that Israel has a right to defend itself, to go after the hostages and to act in accordance with humanitarian law in that process.
“What we have also said is that we need to ensure that there is protection of civilian life, that we ensure all necessary aid supplies can get into Gaza and reach people who need them, and that continues to be our position.”
A spokesman for the Labour leader also denied that there was a rift with Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar over Israel and Gaza.
Sarwar told the BBC on Tuesday: “There is no justification for the withholding of essential supplies; water, electricity, medicine and food from the people of Gaza. It is a clear breach of international law.”
Starmer’s spokesman said: “Anas is entitled to his views on this.”
Meanwhile the House of Commons should be recalled if a ground invasion of Gaza commences while it is prorogued ahead of the King’s Speech, MPs have heard.
Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle was urged by Labour’s John McDonnell to make representations to the Government given the potential for “turmoil” in the Middle East should the Israel-Hamas conflict escalate.
Hoyle said he would work behind the scenes to see what could be done “under those special circumstances”.
The current parliamentary session is expected to end on Thursday, with the Commons and Lords not sitting again until the State Opening of Parliament on November 7.
Speaking in the Commons, former shadow chancellor McDonnell said: “The House rises tomorrow for 10 days I believe. It is regrettable and sadly it may be likely that a ground invasion of Gaza commences during that period.
“This doesn’t just have consequences for the Palestinians or the Israelis, it could create turmoil in the Middle East overall, destabilising the whole of the Middle East.
“If that takes place, Mr Speaker, I appreciate it is the Government that determines whether or not Parliament is recalled.
“But could I ask you in your conversations with Government on this that you do advise them that the House should be recalled to debate such a serious issue?”
Hoyle said he recognised the importance of a “major escalation” and what could happen as a result of it, adding: “It would be for the Government not for me, unfortunately, to be able to recall the House.
“What I would say is I’ll work through the usual channels to try and ensure, quite rightly, that we would look to see what could be done under those special circumstances.”
Commons Leader Penny Mordaunt said: “I can assure the House that the FCDO (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office), my office and other departments across Whitehall are very aware that this House will want to be kept updated about the ongoing situation."
