With British Prime Minister Keir Starmer stepping down,criticism flares over his support for Israel during Gaza's turmoil. A clip from October 2023 shows Starmer backing Israel's right to cut off Gaza's water,electricity,setting off debate on his government's role in alleged war crimes.
Starmer,who started in July 2024,oversaw a jump in arms exports to Israel. Between October and December that year,UK approved arms licenses worth £127.6 million ($168.8 million),far surpassing Conservative government's 2020-2023 numbers. Labour's Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced partial arms export suspension in September 2024,yet UK still sent parts for Israel's F-35 jets,raising doubts about suspension's effect.
Beyond arms sales,scrutiny zeroes in on Royal Air Force base at Akrotiri in Cyprus. Starmer's December 2024 visit underscored base's role,showing its crucial part in Gaza surveillance. Critics argue UK should've used its influence to pressure Israel to halt military actions,similar to stance on Russia.
Government's hesitation to impose broad sanctions on Israel called hypocritical. A few targeted sanctions don't tackle larger issues,critics say. Without strong measures,they argue,Israel unlikely to adhere to international law on Gaza and beyond.
In June 2025,a private bill for independent inquiry into UK's role in Israel's military operations was blocked by government,claiming "no need" for it. A tribunal followed,collecting evidence of UK's complicity in serious international law breaches . A letter then went to International Criminal Court,urging probe into officials,including Starmer.
Starmer's likely successor,ex-Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham,faces pressure to break from Starmer's path. Advocates urge him to stop arms sales to Israel and impose broad sanctions. They argue humanitarian needs in Gaza should take precedence over military spending. Starmer's administration slammed for prioritizing military over domestic issues like poverty.
Burnham's potential policies could shift UK's foreign,domestic stance. Critics call for wealth redistribution,wealth taxes,reversing privatization of essential services. Push for independent inquiry into UK's actions in Gaza remains crucial for those seeking accountability .
As Starmer steps down,call for Palestinian justice persists . Advocates demand real change,committed to holding UK government accountable for its role in ongoing conflict…
