Keir Starmer warns Benjamin Netanyahu over rising tensions

An independent state is the ‘undeniable right’ of the Palestinian people, Sir Keir Starmer has told Benjamin Netanyahu in a marked change in tone after the change of government.

SIr Keir Starmer has been having calls with foreign leaders since becoing British prime minister last week. Picture: Getty Images

An independent state was the “undeniable right” of the Palestinian people, Sir Keir Starmer said, as the new British prime minister held his first call with the Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

In a marked change in tone from the new government, Sir Keir told Mr Netanyahu there was a “clear and urgent” need for a ceasefire in Gaza as well as an immediate increase in the volume of humanitarian aid reaching civilians.

He also urged Mr Netanyahu to show restraint after the Iranian-backed Hezbollah group launched more than 200 rockets and attack drones into northern Israel last week.

“The prime minister said the situation on (the) northern border of Israel was very concerning, and it was crucial all parties acted with caution,” a Downing Street spokesman said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a press conference in June. Picture: Getty Images

In a call with the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, Sir Keir said the government would continue to push Israel to end its military operation in Gaza and wanted to see further financial support for the Palestinian Authority.

A spokesman added: “Discussing the importance of reform, and ensuring international legitimacy for Palestine, the prime minister said that his longstanding policy on recognition to contribute to a peace process had not changed, and it was the undeniable right of Palestinians.”

Labour’s election manifesto committed the party to recognising a Palestinian state as part of a process that results in a two-state solution alongside Israel.

But Sir Keir’s initial refusal to call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza cost the party votes and seats in the general election.

Five Labour candidates lost to pro-Gaza rivals, giving the issue new domestic salience.

Jonathan Ashworth, a former shadow cabinet minister, was unseated by an independent in Leicester South largely because of the party’s stance.

It was also a factor in the Green party victory over Labour’s former shadow culture secretary Thangam Debbonaire in Bristol Central.

A banner reading ‘Keir Starmer: Will Labour Stop Arming Israel?‘ is hung over the side of Westminster Bridge in London in June. Picture: AFP

Jess Phillips, who once held a 10,000 majority, won by just a few hundred votes in Birmingham Yardley against Jody McIntyre, a pro-Palestine small-party candidate.

In his call with Mr Netanyahu, Sir Keir emphasised the importance of the release of Israeli hostages and said he looked forward to “further deepening the close relationship between the two countries”.

He said that he was committed to “continuing the UK and Israel’s vital co-operation to deter malign threats”.

But he added there was a “clear and urgent need for a ceasefire in Gaza, the return of hostages and an immediate increase in the volume of humanitarian aid reaching civilians”.

He said that it was “also important to ensure the long-term conditions for a two-state solution were in place, including ensuring the Palestinian Authority had the financial means to operate effectively”.

Speaking to Mr Abbas, Sir Keir said he was “pleased” to speak to the Palestinian president “so early” in his tenure given the “suffering, and devastating loss of life in Gaza”.

A spokesman said: “The prime minister updated President Abbas on his immediate priorities, including securing a ceasefire, the return of hostages, an increase and acceleration in humanitarian aid, and financial support for the Palestinian Authority.”

Sir Keir is due to travel to Washington this week for the NATO summit on Wednesday.

While the Middle East is not on the formal agenda the prime minister is likely to discuss it in the margins when he meets other world leaders for the first time.

He is likely to hold his first bilateral meetings with President Joe Biden, President Emmanuel Macron and the German chancellor Olaf Scholz.

A senior figure in the Biden administration said they “fully expected” that the leaders would “interact at some point during the summit”.

Sir Keir may also meet the Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, who will be in Washington.

During a call on Friday Sir Keir told Mr Zelensky that the change in government would “make no difference to the UK’s support for Ukraine” and that the UK would “continue supplying the defensive support Ukraine needed in the face of Russian aggression”.

Sir Keir also spoke at the weeekend to Cyril Ramaphosa, South Africa’s president, and said he wanted to strengthen the relationship between the two countries.

“The prime minister and president agreed to continue working together on climate change, economic growth and opportunity and equality ahead of the G20 in South Africa next year,” a spokesman said.

He also spoke to Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan, president of the United Arab Emirates, with a spokesman saying that they “agreed to deepen co-operation on defence, cybersecurity, trade and investment ties”.

The Times