KEIR Starmer has refused to describe atrocities in the Middle East as “a genocide” after he was asked “how much more evidence” he needs.
Greens co-leader and MP Carla Denyer asked the Prime Minister how much more evidence he needs before "calling out what is happening as a genocide” after Israel banned aid from the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) in occupied Palestinian territory.
On Monday evening, Israel’s parliament voted on two bills that would strip UNRWA of legal immunities and restrict its ability to support Palestinians in the West Bank, occupied East Jerusalem, and Gaza.
Starmer said he "had never described what's going on in Gaza as genocide".
The Prime Minister's refusal to describe the Israeli government’s 13-month military assault on Gaza as a genocide comes just days after his Foreign Secretary claimed the use of the word undermines the seriousness of the definition.
Speaking in the Commons, David Lammy said that he believed the use of the word “genocide” in the case of Gaza was inappropriate.
At PMQs on Wednesday, Denyer said: “The ICJ has mandated that Israel ensures access to life saving aid in Gaza under Article two of the Genocide Convention.
“Yet, the Israeli government has voted to effectively block its delivery.
“As a human rights lawyer. does the Prime Minister agree that banning UNRWA is a breach of international law and how much more evidence does he need before calling out what is happening as a genocide and acting in line with the UK's responsibilities as a signatory of the Genocide Convention?”
NEW: Greens co-leader and MP Carla Denyer asked Prime Minister Keir Starmer 'how much more evidence' he needs before calling out atrocities in the Middle East as 'a genocide' at PMQs Watch his response below 👇 pic.twitter.com/KFymVeBUZF
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Starmer responded: “I'm very worried and concerned about the decision that's just been taken by the parliament in relation to UNWRA.
“There's a humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza and that decision will only make it much worse, which is why I've expressed my concern about it already before today and will continue to do so.
“It needs to be reversed, needs to be reversed very, very quickly indeed.
“I have never described the what's going on in Gaza as genocide. I do agree that all sides should comply with international law.”
Starmer is widely criticised on not evolving his stance as Israel continues in the bombardment of Palestine, and now Lebanon.
Starmer was previously widely criticised saying Israel “has the right” to cut water and electricity supplies to Gaza on an LBC podcast last October.
The claim that what Israel is doing in Gaza does not constitute genocide contradicts many global experts, including the UN special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian Territory occupied since 1967 Francesca Albanese.
On Monday, Albanese published a report on what she calls a “genocide” in Gaza, claiming that proving the Israeli government’s intent should not be difficult.
“Genocide is a complex and insidious crime; proving destructive intent is an onerous task – yet not when it is so ostentatious, sustained by a political doctrine of ideological hatred and articulated through institutional structures and policies,” she said.
