Scottish Labour leader Sarwar says Israel 'breaking international law' in Gaza
- Published
Anas Sarwar's comments come amid internal party criticism of Sir Keir Starmer's position on Israel and Gaza
The Scottish Labour leader, Anas Sarwar, has accused Israel of a "clear breach" of international law in Gaza.
He told the BBC there was "no justification for the withholding of essential supplies" from the people of Gaza.
His comments came amid resignations within the party over Sir Keir Starmer's stance on the crisis.
The Labour leader has repeatedly insisted Israel has a right to defend itself within international law.
More than 1,400 Israelis have been killed since Hamas launched its attack on 7 October, according to Israeli authorities - the vast majority in the initial assault. More than 220 are believed to have been taken hostage inside Gaza.
The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza says more than 5,000 Palestinians have been killed since Israel's air strikes began in response, and according to the Palestinian health ministry in the occupied West Bank, 91 Palestinians have been killed there since 7 October.
Speaking after an Institute for Government event in London, Mr Sarwar said: "There is no justification for the withholding of essential supplies; water, electricity, medicine and food from the people of Gaza. It is a clear breach of international law."
"There is no grey area. International law is clear. Withholding of water, energy and essential supplies is a breach of international law and therefore there must be a immediate humanitarian corridor opened so that is accessed by the people in Gaza."
He said he made his remarks "whilst unequivocally condemning Hamas" and called for "a de-escalation of violence" and the end of "rocket fire coming into and out of Gaza".
"We must condemn Hamas but we cannot pretend that Hamas is the Palestinian people," he added.
Labour resignations
Mr Sarwar's comments come amid a number of resignations of Labour party members and elected officials across the UK, including 15 officials in Scotland.
Nine officers in a Glasgow ward, including a Labour peer, and six in Edinburgh stood down earlier this week.
The Glasgow Kelvin officers accused Scottish Labour of "stifling democracy" after a motion calling for an end to military action was ruled out of order.
Asked about Labour officers resigning their positions in Glasgow and Edinburgh constituency Labour parties (CLPs), Mr Sarwar said he disputed claims the party was stifling debate.
"I don't want to trivialise the issue by talking about individual CLPs… it's being talked about nationally and right across the country," he said.
'A right to defend herself'
Two councillors who resigned from the party in Oxford have objected to comments made by Sir Keir on a radio programme earlier this month.
Pressed at the time on whether cutting off water and power supplies into Gaza would be appropriate as part of an Israeli response, he said: "I think that Israel does have that right, it is an ongoing situation.
"Obviously, everything should be done within international law, but I don't want to step away from the core principles that Israel has a right to defend herself," he added.
Sir Keir later clarified those comments by explaining 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.
The crisis in the Middle East has led to protests in the UK and abroad
Meanwhile, the first minister has said his mother-in-law, who is stuck in Gaza, has "lost hope".
Elizabeth El-Nakla and her husband Maged travelled to the region before the Hamas attack and subsequent Israeli reprisals left them trapped.
In a statement in the Scottish Parliament, Humza Yousaf reiterated calls for a ceasefire, an increase in aid and a global refugee settlement scheme to be created for those who wish to flee.
Speaking about his in-laws, Mr Yousaf said he and his wife Nadia could barely sleep for worry.
"Throughout the day, the 100 people in the family home must ration their food. The adults barely eat, my mother-in-law only ate cashew nuts yesterday, they ration so the children in the house don't end up malnourished, but time is running out," he said.
"I spoke to my mother-in-law this morning. She feels helpless and has lost hope. She told me she feels as if the UK Government has forgotten about her.
"Please don't interpret my point as a political one, it is not," he added.
About a million people have fled urban areas in Gaza since 7 October
Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross said his party "stands with Israel", but also with civilians in Gaza, saying: "The Palestinian people are not Hamas.
"They are civilians, they are innocent, they are simply caught in a terrible situation. And they are also suffering from the tyranny, exploitation and oppression of Hamas terrorists."
Scottish Lib Dem leader Alex Cole-Hamilton praised the "quiet dignity" with which the First Minister has carried himself since the Hamas attack, saying that both those in Gaza and Israel "have the right to live free from fear"
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