More than 150 Labour councillors sign letter demanding Keir Starmer calls for Gaza ceasefire
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Muslim MPs were due to meet with Sir Keir Starmer and Angela Rayner on Wednesday amid concerns the party could be facing a mass resignation of councillors
Sir Keir Starmer was put under further pressure to clarify his stance on the Israel-Hamas war on Wednesday as 150 councillors demanded the Labour leader call for an "immediate ceasefire" in Gaza.
Muslim MPs were due to meet with Sir Keir and his deputy Angela Rayner later on Wednesday amid concerns the party could be facing a mass resignation of local politicians.
It comes after comments he made during an LBC interview in which he said that “Israel does have that right” to cut off power and water to Gaza.
Over a week later he clarified his position denying that he ever backed Israel withholding humanitarian aid and meant only that the country had a right to self-defence.
In a letter to Sir Keir on Wednesday, the Labour Muslim Network said: "As Labour councillors elected to serve our constituents, the message we have been hearing repeatedly over the past two weeks is simple, people just want an end to the bloodshed and the loss of innocent life.
"No nation, no people or community should have to endure collective punishment and the same should be the case for the Palestinian people.
"We are also clear that hostages held captive must also be returned to their families safely."
The Network called for "Labour's leadership to call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza".
The letter had been signed by more than 150 councillors on Wednesday morning, including 43 representing London boroughs.
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