ZARAH Sultana has hit out at Keir Starmer’s denial that a genocide is being committed by Israel in Gaza.
“I'm well aware of the definition of genocide, and that is why I've never described this as and referred to it as genocide,” Starmer said during Prime Minister’s Questions last week – leading to widespread condemnation, including from key international experts.
Now, Sultana – who was suspended from Labour in July after defying the whip and voting to scrap the two-child benefit cap – has hit out at Starmer’s genocide denial.
Speaking during a Westminster Hall debate on Tuesday, she said the “nightmare” unfolding in Gaza is a “deliberate, unparalleled human catastrophe”.
“Despite what the Prime Minister says at PMQs,” Sultana asserted – “targeting civilians, blocking aid and destroying survival infrastructure meet the legal criteria of genocide”.
Sultana went on: “This is not merely a crisis. This is genocide. This is extermination. And these aren't just my words, but the conclusions of the UN Commission of Inquiry.”
The UN Special Committee to investigate Israeli practices said in a report last week that Israel’s war on Gaza is “consistent with the characteristics of genocide” – noting “mass civilian casualties and life-threatening conditions intentionally imposed on Palestinians”.
Sultana’s speech continued: “In northern Gaza, over 400,000 Palestinians are trapped under relentless Israeli bombardment. Families fleeing are gunned down and so-called Safe zones are turned into death traps.
“Children are killed on the streets, with 5 to 9 year olds – the most killed age group in Gaza – and families are burned alive by incendiary weapons. Hospitals, schools, and refugee camps are obliterated, and since October 1, essential aid has been blocked by Israel.”
She added: “Gaza is starving and its health system has collapsed. Diseases like polio have returned and the UN describes the situation as apocalyptic. So-called humanitarian zones in southern Gaza also offer no refuge – over a million people crammed into unlivable conditions.
“These are not evacuations. They are forced transfers, war crimes under international law. Furthermore, escape routes are bombed. People are trapped with nowhere to go, and over 90% of Gaza's infrastructure has been destroyed, making return impossible.”
“This is ethnic cleansing. Israeli officials brazenly promised it, and they delivered it.”
Sultana also hit out at the UK being “an active participant in genocide”.
“British-made components are part of every single F-35 fighter jet raining down death on Gaza. Every single bomb dropped, every single life lost bears the stain of British support,” she said.
“This complicity is undeniable. Yesterday, in a hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice, the Uk Government admitted two chilling facts. One, there is a clear risk that UK-made F-35 parts could be used in violations of international humanitarian law.
“Secondly, the government's own assessment made on July 24th, 2024 concluded Israel is not committed to complying with international humanitarian law.”
Sultana said: “These admissions trigger the UK's legal obligation under criterion 2C of the strategic export licence criteria, stating exports cannot be allowed if there's a clear risk of misuse.
“Despite this, the government allowed exports to continue for five weeks – during which over 1700 Palestinians were killed.
“The Defence Secretary has defended this carveout for F-35s, prioritising US confidence in the UK over Palestinian lives. How disturbing.
“The UK Government has a duty to prevent and punish genocide, and by refusing to act, it not only just risks complicity, but criminal liability.”
