Keir Starmer sees Muslim MPs over Gaza stand

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has agreed to hold regular meetings with his Muslim MPs following an angry rebellion over his stance on the Middle East crisis.

It follows a summit last week he attended alongside his deputy Angela Rayner.

Sir Keir was criticised for his refusal to call for a full ceasefire and his apparent support for blocking power and water supplies to Gaza.

It has led to 39 Labour MPs signing a Commons motion calling for “an immediate de-escalation and cessation of hostilities”.

And Khalid Mahmood, the longest-serving Muslim MP in Parliament, said: “We called for the meeting and we made our views clear.

“It won’t be the last. We have been offered regular meetings.”

The MP for Birmingham Perry Barr, who has repeatedly condemned Hamas and is demanding Israel end its Gaza assault, said: “Whenever issues arise, we will be able to have those meetings.”

But Labour insiders fear the leadership’s bungled response to the conflict could cost the party seats in areas with high Muslim populations such as Luton, and Bradford.

READ MORE: Muslim MP Khalid Mahmood pledges he will make Keir Starmer listen on Gaza

At least three in Birmingham are believed to be at risk. One former Labour minister said: “Of course it will make a difference.”

And a councillor prominent in Birmingham’s Muslim community said: “People are saying they won’t vote Labour as long as Keir is leader. These are people in the mainstream: lawyers, teachers, law-abiding people and as British as they come.

“He’s a human rights lawyer and people say they are really disappointed he isn’t standing up for international law.”

Even those sympathetic to Israel believe Sir Keir blundered by appearing to offer unconditional support for the embattled country’s offensive.

One MP, a member of Labour Friends of Israel, said: “It was a knee-jerk reaction and it was because of what happened while Jeremy Corbyn was leader.

“He wanted to show he had banished anti-semitism.

“But the reality is that Israel always responds disproportionately. I say this as a supporter. Cutting off energy supplies to Gaza cannot be justified.”

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