Oxford councillors resign from Labour saying Keir Starmer and his party leaders are ‘complicit in war crimes’ over backing of Israel in war with Hamas

• A total of eight councillors have now resigned from Labour in Oxford

Six Labour councillors on Oxford City Council resigned on Friday claiming leader Sir Keir Starmer and the wider party are ‘complicit in war crimes’ over their backing of Israel in the conflict with terror group Hamas.

Councillors Imogen Thomas, Edward Mundy, Paula Dunne, Duncan Hall, Dr Hosnieh Djafari-Marbini and Jabu Nala-Hartley said on Friday they were stepping down from the party in the wake of comments made by Sir Keir which they claimed ‘endorsed the collective punishment of Palestinians.’

It came after the Labour Leader said Israel ‘has the right’ to self-defence against Hamas as long as they operate within international law – despite the stance of some of his own MPs, who are openly calling for a ceasefire. 

In a statement, the councillors accused Israel of a ‘military occupation and system of apartheid’ and said Starmer’s comments ‘committed Labour to a position that conflicted with our commitment to voters’.

They continued: ‘At a time when it’s been crucial to call for an immediate ceasefire and a de-escalation, and to insist Israel abides by international law, Keir Starmer and the shadow Foreign Secretary have instead endorsed collective punishment, blockade, siege and mass civilian casualties.

A total of eight councillors have resigned from Labour and will now sit as independents

The Labour Leader said Israel ‘has the right’ to self-defence against Hamas as long as they operate within international law

‘As Starmer has said, “Israel has that right” to continue deadly attacks on Gazans. This is complicity in war crimes.

‘In light of both the abdication of the Labour Party’s historic responsibility to stand for international law and human rights, and the typically authoritarian and undemocratic manner in which this position was enforced, we no longer feel we can serve as Labour councillors.

‘We have been proud to represent our communities and do not take the decision to resign from Labour lightly.

‘In a choice between serving our parties or justice, we have chosen justice.’

The subject of the councillors’ concerns were Sir Keir’s comments made in an interview with LBC in the wake of Hamas launching a murderous assault on Israeli civilians.

But Sir Keir issued a clarification on Friday arguing he meant that Israel has the right to defend itself and retrieve the 200 hostages being held by Hamas – as long as the nation operates ‘within international law’.

Speaking to broadcasters, the Labour leader said he wanted to ‘clarify precisely what I was saying’ during the ‘grave and urgent’ situation for more than two million Palestinians.

‘I know that LBC clip has been widely shared and caused real concern and distress in some Muslim communities, so let me be clear about what I was saying and what I wasn’t saying,’ he said.

‘I was saying that Israel has the right to self-defence, and when I said that right I meant it was that right to self-defence. I was not saying that Israel had the right to cut off water, food, fuel or medicines.

Sir Keir has met with councillors as he works to repair the damage caused by the remarks on the politically fraught subject

‘On the contrary. For over a week now, I have been leading the charge calling for that humanitarian aid to come in.’

Sir Keir has met with councillors as he works to repair the damage caused by the remarks on the politically fraught subject.

The most recent resignations come after fellow Oxford City councillors Shaista Aziz and Amar Latif also said they would resign over the comments.

All eight councillors will continue to serve as independents.

Their resignations mean Labour is now down to 24 councillors on Oxford City Council, with 24 in opposition, so has lost its majority.

Issuing a statement after the resignations were announced, council leader Susan Brown said she was ‘disappointed’ by the councillors’ decision.

She continued: ‘Local residents can be assured that the Oxford Labour administration will continue to deliver for residents, as we have done since our election.

‘Keir Starmer has reiterated this week that Israel has the right to defend itself, but must act in accordance with international law. 

‘We all abhor the barbaric terrorist attacks committed by Hamas, and Labour stands in solidarity with the innocent civilians in Israel and Gaza in the face of continuing violence and suffering through the lack of basic necessities.

‘We are all hoping for a peaceful outcome soon.’ 

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