A Nottingham councillor has resigned from the Labour Party over comments leader Sir Keir Starmer made on the Israel-Gaza conflict.
Nadia Farhat, who has represented Leen Valley on Nottingham City Council since May, said she had left the party on Wednesday (October 18).
She becomes one of around a dozen local labour councillors around the country who have stood down from the group following comments the Labour leader made during an interview with LBC Radio last week.
The remarks, suggesting it was appropriate for Israel to withhold water and power from Gaza, have led to anger among some party members, who feel that Sir Keir should be condemning Israel’s tactics in their response to attacks on Israeli civilians by Hamas.
During the interview presenter Nick Ferrari asked Sir Keir if “a siege is appropriate, cutting off water, cutting off power?”
Sir Keir replied: “I think 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 the right to defend herself and Hamas bears responsibility.”
A spokesperson for the Labour leader later told the Guardian Sir Keir had been answering a previous question on Israel’s right to defend itself generally, and had stressed his position on international law.
In a Facebook post Nadia said she was “deeply horrified” by Sir Keir’s comments.
Her statement read: “The Labour Party’s failure to promptly and effectively denounce the atrocities in Gaza is the ultimate reason for my decision.
“It is not what I stand for, and it goes against my principles. I advocate for peace for all, and do not wish to be associated with a party who lack moral authority and empathy for the Palestinian people. I would like to hope that the party can address the issues which have led me to this decision.
She added she believed Israel’s actions in response to the attacks committed by Hamas, are “absolutely appalling and criminal behaviour under international law”.
“I too like many, mourn the loss of all innocent lives in Gaza and Israel. I stand in solidarity with the Jewish community of Nottingham as well as the Palestinian and Muslim community who have all been deeply impacted by the recent events.”
Cllr David Mellen, the leader of the council, said: “Nadia is one of 22 new councillors who joined our authority in May’s local elections and she has made a positive contribution in a short space of time.
“She is a loss to the Labour Party, but I am sure that she will continue to work for the people in Leen Valley alongside her Labour colleague.”
Gedling Borough Councillor Russell Whiting has also resigned from the Labour Party for similar reasons, and will now also represent his ward as an independent.
In an internal email sent to Labour councillors from Sir Keir, he added: “Labour has been clear; Israel has the right to defend herself, to keep its people safe and bring hostages home. Israel’s defence must be conducted in accordance with international law.
“We are also clear, the pain and suffering that has been unleashed is the responsibility of the terrorists of Hamas. Hamas are not the Palestinian people, and the Palestinian people are not Hamas.”