British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has stepped up calls for Israel to accept a ceasefire after six hostages held by Hamas terrorists were found dead in a Gaza tunnel.
in statement Starmer, who was released on Sunday, said he was “utterly shocked by the horrific and senseless murders” after the bodies of hostages Carmel Gatto, Eden Yerushalmi, American-Israeli Hersh Goldberg Pollin, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarsi and Sergeant Oli Danino were discovered.
The Israel Defense Forces said the six hostages were shot dead over the past two days by Hamas terrorists who mistakenly believed Israeli troops were approaching their position.
While acknowledging the “senseless killings” committed by Hamas, the new left-wing British leader used the hostages' deaths to once again call on Israel to accept a ceasefire.
“Hamas must immediately release all hostages and all parties must immediately agree to a ceasefire to end the suffering,” Sir Kiir said.
Before taking office, Starmer supported Israel's tough response to the October 7 Hamas terror attack, which left around 1,200 people dead in Israel and hundreds more taken hostage, many of whom remain held today.
Starmer's sectarian split: Pro-Palestinian independent defeats Labour to enter Parliamenthttps://t.co/0I9L3oSlD6
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Then-opposition leader Starmer even supported Jerusalem cutting off water and electricity to the Gaza Strip, sparking anger among British Muslims, one of his left-wing Labour party's most loyal bases.
Dozens of Muslim politicians have left the party over Starmer's stance. Several resignations President Trump fired his then shadow cabinet in November last year after asking it not to vote for a ceasefire resolution.
Starmer's pre-election stance on Israel came amid his attempt to reimage Labour as a moderate party fit to govern. Under his predecessor, the socialist Jeremy Corbyn, the party was dogged by accusations of rampant anti-Semitism and had openly cozy ties to Islamic extremists, including calling Hamas “brothers” on Iranian state television.
But since coming to power, Starmer has largely aligned himself with his left-leaning base on the issue, voicing his support after the July 4 election:emergency“There needs to be a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.”
Former British MP declares Israel 'has lost its right to exist' after Gaza hospital explosionhttps://t.co/MS1EBCFcvq
— Breitbart London (@BreitbartLondon) October 18, 2023
