When Rishi Sunak spoke in the Commons chamber on Monday, he reiterated the UK government’s ‘total condemnation’ of the attacks by Hamas on Israel which have left at least 1,300 dead. Sunak said his government ‘must support, absolutely, Israel’s right to defend itself. To go after Hamas, take back the hostages, deter further incursions, and strengthen its security for the long term.’ However, he added that this ‘must be done in line with international humanitarian law’. Sunak also said he had spoken to the Israeli Prime Minister about the need to ‘minimise the impact on civilians in Gaza’.
The comments were echoed by Keir Starmer. The Labour leader used his response not to attack the Tories or even to ask a question – instead saying it was ‘crucial that this House speaks with one voice in condemnation of terror and in support for Israel in its hour of agony’. Starmer, like Sunak, stressed the need for Israel’s defence to be conducted in accordance with international law. But several of his own MPs went further – asking whether some of the actions of the Israeli government so far already counted as a breach of international law.
It means that for all the talk of a unified response, Sunak and Starmer will find their commitment to Israel’s right to defend itself tested further in the coming days. If the Israeli government embarks on a ground attack of Gaza city in the coming days and the number of casualties – including civilians – start to mount, that’s when Starmer and Sunak will be pressed on whether the Israeli government should show restraint. It has the potential to be a trickier task for the Labour leader given his party tends to be more pro-Palestine than than the Conservatives. At Labour conference in Liverpool last week, Starmer and his party held the line and were heralded a changed party – but an escalation in Gaza will test this further. For Sunak, his challenge will be to stop the tensions abroad from further spilling into the streets here in the UK.
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