Stroud councillor quits Labour over Starmer comments

Jessie Hoskin said she believed Labour was "no longer consistent with the values of human dignity and equality"

A Labour councillor has resigned from the party over comments made by Sir Keir Starmer about the Israel Gaza war.

Jessie Hoskin, a councillor for Cainscross ward on Stroud District Council, posted on Facebook she was unhappy about his remarks "supporting war crimes against Palestinian people".

In a recent LBC interview, Mr Starmer said "Israel has the right" to withhold power and water from the Gaza Strip.

"All targeting of civilian life should be condemned," said Ms Hoskin.

"Two million Palestinians in Gaza, who had nothing to do with Hamas' actions, should not be punished collectively for it.

"We are witnessing atrocities, and he has not apologised since," she said.

Ms Hoskin has been a Labour member for eight years, and a councillor for two.

Israel declared a "complete siege" of Gaza on Monday, saying electricity, food, fuel and water would be cut off in response to the Hamas attacks and atrocities.

More on Israel Gaza war

• LIVE: Gaza being 'pushed into abyss', UN says, as Israel prepares ground offensive

• Explained: What's going on in Gaza and Israel, and why now?

• History behind the story: The Israel-Palestinian conflict

• Gaza: What life is like in the Gaza Strip

A large evacuation is currently under way in Gaza as Israel prepares for an attack.

Israel has warned 1.1 million people living in the north end of the Gaza Strip to evacuate.

Ms Hoskin said: "The Labour Party is no longer consistent with the values of human dignity, equality and a world where everyone is safe.

"We need to be looking at solutions that will protect Palestinian and Israeli lives, uphold international law and push towards a horizon where everyone is safe," she added.

Ms Hoskin said she planned to remain a councillor for Cainscross, but sit as an independent.

The South West regional office of the Labour Party has been contacted for a response.

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