Over 150 Muslim councillors ask UK’s Labour Party to call for ceasefire in Gaza conflict

More than 150 Muslim councillors from the UK’s main opposition Labour Party on Wednesday called on the Party leadership to call for an immediate ceasefire in the Israel-Palestine conflict.

“As a Party that bases its principles on fairness and justice, we cannot sit idly by as Palestinians face collective punishment,” said a letter signed by the councillors.

The letter was published by Labour Muslim Network (LMN), an inclusive organisation that seeks to promote British Muslim engagement with the Labour Party.

We urge the Labour Party to urgently adopt a position of calling for an immediate ceasefire, calling on the UK government and the international community to act upon this proposal to save innocent human lives

the letter added.

They also stressed that hostages held captive must be returned to their families.

The Labour Party has seen a series of resignations from councillors after its leader, Keir Starmer, said in controversial remarks that Israel had the “right” to cut power and water supplies to Palestinians living in Gaza. The remarks sparked controversy among the party members.

Israel launched a relentless bombardment campaign on Gaza following a surprise attack by Hamas on 7 October, putting the enclave’s residents under total siege and a blockade of food, fuel and medical supplies. Aid supplies have since started to trickle in, but at levels far below the public need.

Nearly 8,000 people have been killed in the conflict, including at least 6,546 Palestinians and 1,400 Israelis.

READ: UK does not believe Israel has broken international law in Gaza, Minister says