The Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP
Leader of the Labour Party
Labour Party Headquarters
Southside, 105 Victoria Street
London, SW1E 6QT
Subject: Request to Retract and Apologize for Remarks Endorsing Violence in Gaza
Dear Mr. Starmer,
On behalf of The Orient House, we write to express our profound disappointment regarding your comments made during an LBC interview on 11th October 2024, where you appeared to support the ongoing Israeli genocide in Gaza, operations that international bodies and human rights organizations increasingly identify as bearing the hallmarks of genocide. Your remarks, suggesting endorsement of Israel’s actions under the guise of self-defense, disregarded the well-documented suffering of Gaza’s civilians, whose lives, homes, and communities are facing unprecedented levels of destruction.
Given the scale of devastation in Gaza, where thousands of innocent men, women, and children have lost their lives, and millions are denied access to basic necessities, it is essential for public figures to approach the issue with responsibility, sensitivity, and a commitment to justice. Your statement failed to reflect these principles, appearing to provide implicit support to actions that violate international humanitarian law and devastate civilian life.
We therefore urge you to issue a retraction of your comments and to offer a public apology to the Palestinian community and to all those affected by this crisis. Recognizing and addressing the suffering of Gaza’s people is not only a matter of humanity but is essential for upholding the Labour Party’s commitment to human rights and justice.
We trust you will consider this request seriously and take steps to align your public stance with the values of fairness, empathy, and respect for human rights.
Respectfully,
The Orient House