Sir Keir Starmer was put under further pressure to clarify his stance on the Israel-Hamas war on Wednesday as 150 councillors demanded the Labour leader call for an "immediate ceasefire" in Gaza.
Muslim MPs were due to meet with Sir Keir and his deputy Angela Rayner later on Wednesday amid concerns the party could be facing a mass resignation of local politicians.
It comes after comments he made during an LBC interview in which he said that “Israel does have that right” to cut off power and water to Gaza.
Over a week later he clarified his position denying that he ever backed Israel withholding humanitarian aid and meant only that the country had a right to self-defence.
In a letter to Sir Keir on Wednesday, the Labour Muslim Network said: "As Labour councillors elected to serve our constituents, the message we have been hearing repeatedly over the past two weeks is simple, people just want an end to the bloodshed and the loss of innocent life.
"No nation, no people or community should have to endure collective punishment and the same should be the case for the Palestinian people.
"We are also clear that hostages held captive must also be returned to their families safely."
The Network called for "Labour's leadership to call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza".
The letter had been signed by more than 150 councillors on Wednesday morning, including 43 representing London boroughs.
Kensington councillor Mona Ahmed resigned from the party last week saying she “condemned the killing of innocent civilians” and “expected the same” from her party’s leadership.
"I am left with no option but to resign the Labour whip and resign from the party following Keir Starmer's shocking statements, which amount to the endorsement of war crimes committed by Israel against civilians in Gaza, she said.
Around 37 MPs including former leader Jeremy Corbyn, now sitting as an independent, have backed a call for a ceasefire in the region, a position Sir Keir, as well as the Government, are not supporting.Shadow chief secretary to the Treasury Darren Jones confirmed Sir Keir and his deputy Angela Rayner will hold a “routine meeting” with Labour MPs after Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday.
He told Times Radio: “Understandably, this is a very sensitive and emotive issue, both for people who have connections and relatives to the Palestinian people as well as the Israeli people, and it is perfectly normal for Keir to sit down and listen to colleagues in the parliamentary party and indeed our councillors and other members from across the country.”
It comes as the South Wales Islamic Centre accused Sir Keir of having “gravely misrepresented” its meeting with Muslim leaders over the weekend.
Sir Keir had posted photos on X, formerly Twitter, and said: “I was grateful to hear from the Muslim community of the South Wales Islamic Centre.
“I repeated our calls for all hostages to be released, more humanitarian aid to enter Gaza, for the water and power to be switched back on, and a renewed focus on the two state solution.”
🚨 Over 150 Muslim Labour councillors have come together to call on Labour's leadership to call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
— Labour Muslim Network (@LabourMuslims) October 25, 2023
An unprecedented letter of unity from Muslim Labour representatives shows the strength of feeling throughout the nation and in our communities. pic.twitter.com/nSLUtyegKw
He said he was “questioned by members” and “made clear it is not and has never been my view that Israel had the right to cut off water, food, fuel or medicines. International law must be followed”.
But in a statement, the centre said: “We wish to stress Keir Starmer’s social media post and images gravely misrepresented our congregants and the nature of the visit.
“We affirm, unequivocally, the need for a free Palestine. We implore all those with political authority to uphold international law, and to end the occupation of Palestine.”
The centre said it wanted to “apologise for the hurt and confusion that our hosting of this visit has caused”.
It added: “Our intention was to raise the concerns of the Muslim community around the suffering if Palestinians, and so we hosted an event initially with local representatives on the issue, and the knowledge of Keir Starmer’s attendance was given at short notice.
“There was a robust and frank conversation which reflected the sentiments Muslim communities are feeling at this time. Members of the community directly challenged Keir on his statements made on the Israeli Government’s right to cut food, electricity and water to Gaza, warranting war crimes as well as his failure to call for an immediate ceasefire.”
