Posted on Oct 14, 2023
Labour Oxford councillors quit over Starmer comments on Israel Gaza war
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Two councillors have resigned from Labour over Sir Keir Starmer's position on the Israel Gaza war.
Shaista Aziz and Amar Latif, who both sit on Oxford City Council, said they left because the Labour leader is "seeming to condone the collective punishment against the people of Gaza".
Council leader Susan Brown said she was "saddened" by their decision, but that Israel had a right to defend itself.
Sir Keir said Hamas "bears responsibility".
Speaking to LBC, he said Israel "does have that right" to withhold power and water from Palestinian civilians, though "everything should be done within international law".
In their resignation statement, the councillors said they "stand in solidarity with the people of Israel and Palestine and call for an end to violence and the humanitarian crisis".
Shaista Aziz and Amar Latif, who both sit on Oxford City Council, said they left because the Labour leader is "seeming to condone the collective punishment against the people of Gaza".
Council leader Susan Brown said she was "saddened" by their decision, but that Israel had a right to defend itself.
Sir Keir said Hamas "bears responsibility".
Speaking to LBC, he said Israel "does have that right" to withhold power and water from Palestinian civilians, though "everything should be done within international law".
In their resignation statement, the councillors said they "stand in solidarity with the people of Israel and Palestine and call for an end to violence and the humanitarian crisis".
Labour Oxford councillors quit over Starmer comments on Israel Gaza war
Posted from bbc.com
United Kingdom
Israel
Palestine
Violence
Posted 7 mo ago
Responses: 2
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
..."They said following the "horrific killings and atrocities" on both sides, and the "deep devastation, grief and fear being felt by our communities in our city and beyond" they were "deeply disappointed and alarmed" by Sir Keir's comments.
They said it was "in direct contravention of international law", and that they had sought "urgent clarification" from national and local leadership but had not heard back.
As a result they had "made a conscious decision to immediately resign the whip and leave" the party, saying they were "appalled by the lack of humanity and regard for the rights of the Palestinian people".
The councillors will continue to serve as independents."...
..."They said following the "horrific killings and atrocities" on both sides, and the "deep devastation, grief and fear being felt by our communities in our city and beyond" they were "deeply disappointed and alarmed" by Sir Keir's comments.
They said it was "in direct contravention of international law", and that they had sought "urgent clarification" from national and local leadership but had not heard back.
As a result they had "made a conscious decision to immediately resign the whip and leave" the party, saying they were "appalled by the lack of humanity and regard for the rights of the Palestinian people".
The councillors will continue to serve as independents."...
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel good day Brother William, always informational and of the most interesting. Thanks for sharing, have a blessed day!
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