KEIR Starmer has made the case for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in calls with regional leaders.
The Prime Minister made his first phone calls with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas on Sunday morning.
Starmer told his Israeli counterpart that he “looked forward to further deepening the close relationship” between Britain and Israel, according to a Downing Street spokesperson.
He also said he was “committed to continuing the UK and Israel’s vital cooperation to deter malign threats”.
A No 10 spokesperson added: “Turning to the conflict in Gaza, the Prime Minister reiterated his condolences for the tragic loss of life following the October attacks.
“He then set out the clear and urgent need for a ceasefire, the return of hostages and an immediate increase in the volume of humanitarian aid reaching civilians.”
In his call with president Abbas the Prime Minister said he was “pleased” to speak with the leader of the Palestinian Authority “given the pressing issues in the region, ongoing suffering and devastating loss of life in Gaza”.
A spokesperson added: “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.”
Starmer also told Abbas (below) that his “longstanding policy on recognition to contribute to a peace process had not changed, and it was the undeniable right of Palestinians”.
His comments to Netanyahu mark a change in the official UK stance on the situation in Palestine.
The former Conservative government was opposed to calls for an immediate ceasefire, arguing that they served to help Hamas.
Former foreign secretary David Cameron had instead called for a "sustainable ceasefire".
The conflict in the Middle East was politically toxic for the Labour leader while in opposition and promises to continue to be difficult for him in power.
He was hit by a major Commons rebellion earlier this year during a vote on demands for a ceasefire, while Labour was still officially opposed to calling for an immediate cessation in hostilities.
Many Labour MPs returned at the election faced serious challenges from pro-Palestine candidates and top lieutenant Jonathan Ashworth lost his seat to independent candidate Shockat Adam who campaigned heavily on the issue.
David Lammy (above) will also face pressure in his new role as Foreign Secretary to release the Government’s legal advice on selling arms to Israel, something he had demanded David Cameron do during his predecessor’s time in office.
