The Labour Muslim Network, an organization dedicated to promoting the participation of British Muslims in the Labour Party, has strongly condemned UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer's retraction of Foreign Secretary David Lammy's Monday statement regarding Israel's violation of international humanitarian law. This condemnation highlights the growing internal divisions within the Labour Party regarding the ongoing conflict.
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03-20, 2025During a parliamentary session on Monday, when questioned about the blockade and its consequences, Lammy stated: "That is a violation of international law. Israel, of course, has a right to defend its security. But we are clear that the sheer scale of the lack of aid getting in - it's been 15 days since aid has gone in - is unacceptable, deeply shocking and deeply concerning." His remarks emphasized the urgency of addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
However, Starmer's official spokesperson stated on Tuesday afternoon that the UK government's position remained that there was a "risk, clearly" of violations of international law in Israel's actions in Gaza. The Labour Muslim Network (LMN) told Middle East Eye that the move was "appalling" and "shameful." This apparent reversal of stance has triggered significant criticism and controversy.
A spokesperson for the organization stated: "Israel's horrific and barbaric attacks on innocent civilians in Gaza last night are yet another flagrant violation of international and humanitarian law. No British government with any conscience should continue to call Israel an ally or maintain any form of military or economic relationship with an Israeli government that continues to wilfully and deliberately flout international law." They added: "The shadow foreign secretary, David Lammy, was correct to say in the House of Commons that the blockade of goods was a violation of international law. The subsequent attempts to retract and walk back that assertion are both appalling and shameful."
This development comes after Israel unilaterally ended a ceasefire agreement with Hamas on Tuesday morning, killing over 400 Palestinians without warning. Tuesday's attacks targeted Palestinians displaced by the conflict, marking one of the bloodiest bombardments in the Gaza Strip since the beginning of the war. The Labour government had not previously accused Israel of violating international law before this week, meaning Lammy's comments in parliament on Monday represented a significant shift in the UK's position.
Independent councillor Ayoub Khan told Middle East Eye that the position from 10 Downing Street was "disgraceful," accusing the government of "deliberate obfuscation." He said: "This pattern of rhetoric, coupled with a failure to condemn these actions, whilst refusing to impose any meaningful consequences, emboldens the Israeli government to continue its campaign of murder, destruction, starvation and displacement in Gaza." Khan's statement underscores the growing frustration with the government's handling of the situation.
Independent councillor Adnan Hussain described Lammy's "belated acknowledgement" as "welcome." "The government would be best served to align with the shadow foreign secretary's newfound moral compass, rather than undermine him." The Council for Arab-British Understanding stated: "Downing Street has taken a shameful move in attempting to retract the shadow foreign secretary's explicit accusation that Israel's blockade of Gaza is a violation of international law." "This undermines the government's claim to respect international law and exposes a clear rift between the prime minister and shadow foreign secretary."
Oxfam Chief Executive Halima Begum described the government's move as "simply staggering." "The UK government must immediately condemn these crimes in the strongest possible terms and end its complicity in this catastrophic crisis." Begum's remarks highlight the increasing pressure on the UK government to take a stronger stance against the violence and humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
