Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer is to meet Muslim MPs amid tensions over the party's stance on the Israel-Gaza war.

It comes as more than 150 Muslim Labour councillors have written to him urging the party leadership to call for an immediate ceasefire in the region.

Sir Keir has faced criticism since seeming to say Israel had the "right" to cut off water and energy to Gaza.

He later clarified his position, saying he meant only that the country had a right to self-defence.

At least 19 Labour councillors have already quit the party over the issue, including in Cambridge, Nottinghamshire, Gloucester, while some MPs have also been critical about the position the leadership has taken.

In Oxford, Labour has lost its majority on the council, after eight councillors resigned from the party.

On Wednesday, a letter signed by more than 150 Muslim Labour councillors representing areas including Birmingham, Leicester and Glasgow, called on the party's leadership to back an immediate ceasefire in Gaza to protect civilians and allow access to humanitarian aid.

More than 30 Labour MPs, as well as former party leader Jeremy Corbyn, who now sits as an independent, have also backed calls for a ceasefire.

However, last week Sir Keir refused to support the move, instead saying Israel had the right to defend itself.

Asked if there should be a ceasefire, Labour's shadow chief secretary to the Treasury Darren Jones told the BBC "of course we want to get to a position where the fighting stops".

However, he added: "The quickest route to peace would be for Hamas to release those hostages and to stop attacking Israel."

Sources within the party have confirmed to the BBC that Sir Keir is set to meet some of his own Muslim MPs later to discuss the party's position on Gaza.

In an interview with LBC on 11 October, Sir Keir was asked whether it was "appropriate" for Israel to cut off the supply of power and water to Gaza.

"I think that Israel does have that right," he said. "Obviously everything should be done within international law, but I don't want to step away from the core principles that Israel has a right to defend herself."

A spokesman for the Labour leader later said he had only meant to say Israel had a general right to self-defence.

Comments from Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar also appear to be at odds with the position of Sir Keir.

On Tuesday he accused Israel of a "clear breach" of international law in Gaza, telling the BBC there is "no justification for the withholding of essential supplies".

Sir Keir has not explicitly said Israel has broken international law but has stressed it must be followed.

BBC

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