When it comes to Palestine Sir Keir Starmer sure does a good impression of Where’s Wally?

Palestine: Starmer’s Silence is Deafening

In April Sir Keir Starmer boldly stated: “I’ll take my mask off and show why I should be prime minister” his audacious announcement fell embarrassingly short in reality. The Hartlepool and the local elections were another historic disasters for the Labour Party took place.

However, as Starmer stated in the Observer after a year as leader, he has found it deeply frustrating not being able to meet voters and campaign around the country. “We’ve been rebuilding the Labour party and demonstrating that we are under new leadership,” Starmer said. “But it has been frustrating to spend the first year as leader unable to make a speech to a live audience or shake a single voter’s hand.”

Putting the disaster of the elections behind him and the cowardly avoidance of responsibility in sacking Angela Rayner after declaring he would take full responsibility for the defeats, along with the botched reshuffle.

We have to ask, where on earth is Sir Keir Starmer in his condemnation of the atrocities, human rights violations and escalating violence of the middle east? Starmer had the opportunity to stand up and act like a statesman instead he is nowhere to be seen.

For a Human rights lawyer when it comes to Palestine Starmer is very quiet.

After all Sir Keir Starmer is not only the Labour Party Leader but supposedly a Human rights lawyer too. If there is anything the world understands it’s that the Palestinian people’s human rights are under constant violation, The Israeli government have continued to enforce severe and discriminatory restrictions on Palestinians’ human rights; restrict the movement of people and goods into and out of the Gaza Strip; and facilitate the unlawful transfer of Israeli citizens to settlements in the occupied West Bank.

The list of recognised Human rights violations are to many to list but can be found at both Amnesty International and Human rights Watch.

The largest single party in western Europe leaderless and silent

Jeremy Corbyn built the largest single party in western Europe, although membership is falling under Starmer the weight of his and the Parties voice would go a long way in highlighting the injustices happening right now in the middle east. If Labour cannot stand up against oppression and violence what does the Party stand for?

International solidarity is not an act of charity. It is an act of unity between allies fighting on different terrains toward the same objectives. The foremost of these objectives is to aid the development of humanity to the highest level possible.

SAMORA MOISES MACHEL

Surely this is where the Leader of the labour party and a Human rights lawyer can make a difference, if Starmer really wanted to demonstrate his Leadership, to show his ability to articulate sense and call out the injustices and oppression of the Palestinian people, he could climb the platform and speak out of this atrocity being carried out against innocent civilians and show the world his mettle and statesmanship like qualities.

Instead, he has Tweeted some Weasley words over a week ago, not nearly enough for the victims of both sides of this conflict, not nearly enough for any politician who cares about the lives of the working class the oppressed wherever in the world they reside be it Peterbroght or Palestine.

Starmer’s Weasley words didn’t extend too much saying: “The situation in Jerusalem, Gaza and Israel is shocking.
Labour is calling for the immediate end to airstrikes and rocket attacks. Britain must act to de-escalate tensions and kick-start efforts for a sustainable peace – through a two-state solution.”

The situation in Jerusalem, Gaza and Israel is shocking.

Labour is calling for the immediate end to air strikes and rocket attacks.

Britain must act to de-escalate tensions and kick-start efforts for a sustainable peace – through a two-state solution.https://t.co/hqi0l25I7S

— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) May 12, 2021

Its shameful that Starmer’s tweet is no different from that of Boris Johnsons who also Tweeted: “I am urging Israel and the Palestinians to step back from the brink and for both sides to show restraint. The UK is deeply concerned by the growing violence and civilian casualties and we want to see an urgent de-escalation of tensions.”

I am urging Israel and the Palestinians to step back from the brink and for both sides to show restraint. The UK is deeply concerned by the growing violence and civilian casualties and we want to see an urgent de-escalation of tensions.

— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) May 12, 2021

Corbyn branded ‘real opposition leader’ as the crowd erupts at London rally

Starmer has had the opportunity once more to stand in front of a crowd and make a speech to a live audience but more so to make a difference, and again Starmer has failed.

Is it any wonder the massive crows at the Pro-Palestine rallies this weekend heralded Jeremy Corbyn as the Leader of the opposition?

The former Labour leader, who stepped down after his failed 2019 election bid, told the crowds that international action provides “succour, comfort and support” to those suffering in the conflict.

He said: “Think what it’s like being a mother or father and seeing a building bombed in front of you, knowing your family is in there, and you can do nothing.

“It’s our global voices that will give succour, comfort and support in those settlements alongside Gaza and all over the West Bank, East Jerusalem who are suffering at this time.

Corbyn was heaped with praise for speaking at the Solidarity with Palestine march, with many questioning why current Labour leader Sir Keir did not attend.

One person wrote on Twitter: ‘The Real Leader of the Opposition’ Jeremy Corbyn. On the right side of history, again.

“Starmer, and his Labour, have lost it all today, I feel. People power is where we’re at now.”

Another person said: “He was introduced as “the real opposition leader”, @jeremycorbyn is speaking to the crowd.

“@Keir_Starmer was criticised for not joining the protest.”

A third wrote: “Eat your heart out @Keir_Starmer. THIS is a leader, THIS is who we need and want.”

Another person said: “Starmer can move the deckchairs around as much as he likes but Jeremy Corbyn will always be the real leader of the opposition.”

Former shadow home secretary Diane Abbott also spoke about the rally and told those in attendance: “We must remember we are part of an international movement. This is a worldwide movement for justice.

“Palestinian people are having their land seized… and they are now being killed in their homes. All of this is illegal.”

Thousands of people marched through the park chanting “free, free Palestine”, and holding banners calling for an end to the bombing of the territory by Israeli forces.

Huge crowds of protesters then arrived outside the gates of the Israeli embassy in Kensington.

A temporary stage was set up on Kensington High Street and organisers urged people to keep moving down the road as numbers continued to swell.

This act of solidarity and the thousands of protest around the world let those with power across the middle east understand the world is watching. Sir Keir Starmer once declared himself and the Labour Party has fiercely internationalist we just didn’t realise that internationalism stopped at the Israeli Border.