Keir Starmer has been accused of having “gravely misrepresented” a meeting with Muslim leaders in Wales, amid anger among some in Labour over his remarks on the Israel-Hamas conflict.
The Labour leader visited the South Wales Islamic Centre in Cardiff on Sunday. In a statement on Tuesday evening, the centre apologised “for the hurt and confusion” caused by hosting Starmer, and said the intention was to highlight the suffering of people in Palestine.
It also expressed “dismay” over Starmer’s social media post about the visit, which said: “I was grateful to hear from the Muslim community of the South Wales Islamic Centre. I repeated our calls for all hostages to be released, more humanitarian aid to enter Gaza, for the water and power to be switched back on, and a renewed focus on a two-state solution.”
In response, the South Wales Islamic Centre said: “We wish to stress Keir Starmer’s social media post and images gravely misrepresented our congregants and the nature of the visit.
“We affirm, unequivocally, the need for a free Palestine. We implore all those with political authority to uphold international law, and the end to the occupation of Palestine.”
The statement added: “There was a robust and frank conversation which reflected the sentiments Muslim communities are feeling at this time. Members of the community directly challenged Keir on his statements made on the Israeli government’s right to cut food, electricity and water to Gaza, warranting war crimes as well as his failure to call for an immediate ceasefire.”
It comes after the Labour leader was forced to clarify remarks he made about Israel’s decision to limit supplies to Gaza.
Speaking on LBC Radio, Starmer was asked whether Israel was right to respond to the attacks by Hamas with a siege of Gaza, cutting off water and power. “I think that Israel does have that right, it is an ongoing situation, obviously everything should be done within international law,” he said.
The MP for Holborn and St Pancras later clarified those comments to explain he was speaking about Israel’s right to defend itself, not to cut off power and water, and that Israel should respond within international law. In his post on X about his visit, Starmer wrote: “I was questioned by members and I was deeply moved to hear their pain and horror at the suffering of civilians in Gaza. I made clear it is not and has never been my view that Israel had the right to cut off water, food, fuel or medicines. International law must be followed.”
Eight Labour councillors in Oxford have quit the party over the initial comments by Starmer, losing the party its majority in the city council.
In Scotland, 15 Labour officers resigned over party rules about responding to the conflict in Gaza. Nine officers in a Glasgow ward, including a Labour peer, and six in Edinburgh stood down.
Labour was contacted for comment.
