Gaby Hinsliff notes Keir Starmer’s sensitivity to the feelings of the Jewish community in respect of the plight of the hostages taken in the horrific attack of 7 October and his persistence in calling for their release (The Gaza vote was a win for Keir Starmer – defending it will be harder, 17 November).
But his continuing refusal to back an immediate ceasefire has not only failed to heal divisions within the Labour party; it also effectively supports an Israeli military posture that greatly endangers the hostages’ survival. On 31 October he stated that he did not believe a ceasefire “is the correct position now”, which, following the continuing death and destruction in Gaza, prompts the question: “If not now, when?”
Starmer’s stance may have been influenced by his mission to root out antisemitism within Labour, not to mention the recent rise in antisemitism and antisemitic incidents that cause justifiable concern to British Jews. However, it should not be considered antisemitic to uphold Israel’s right to self-defence while opposing a failing policy that has resulted in catastrophe for Gazan civilians while threatening Israel’s future security.
Last Sunday, hundreds attended a Jewish-led protest in London that called for an immediate ceasefire, a hostage exchange and an end to the siege on Gaza. This is the only way to open up the space for an internationally mediated resolution to the conflict, and a true test of the leadership to which Starmer aspires.
Dr Anthony Isaacs
London
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