Sir Keir Starmer civil war erupts as Sadiq Khan and Anas Sarwar join Labour MPs defying him by calling for a ceasefire
LABOUR’S civil war over Israel escalated today as its two most senior Muslim politicians defied Sir Keir Starmer by calling for a ceasefire.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan and Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar both broke ranks the party's official position on the conflict.
Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham later piled in with demands for a ceasefire.
The trio joined a quarter of Labour MPs in demanding an immediate "cessation of hostilities".
Sir Keir has been rocked by a violent backlash - particularly from Muslim members - after stopping short of demanding a full-on ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
He has instead joined Rishi Sunak in pushing for a humanitarian truce to let aid get into Gaza.
But his authority was further challenged this morning as Mr Khan became the most high-profile Labour politician to support ceasefire calls.
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The Mayor said: “I join the international community in calling for a ceasefire. It would stop the killing and would allow vital aid supplies to reach those who need it in Gaza.
"It would also allow the international community more time to prevent a protracted conflict in the region and further devastating loss of life.”
His intervention sparked more infighting as Labour peer Ian Austin attacked Mr Khan for weighing in.
He tweeted: “Sadiq Khan can’t stop kids killing each other on the streets of London, yet thinks he can provide useful advice on the most complicated and difficult conflict in the world.”
This afternoon Mr Sarwar also turned the screw on Sir Keir, stating: "There have been too many innocent lives lost in Israel and Palestine. We need a ceasefire now."
Labour sources insisted Sir Keir would not be changing his position.
It is understood Mr Khan and Mr Sarwar phoned the Labour leader before making their statements.
Almost one in four Labour MPs have signed a Commons motion calling for a ceasefire.
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Last night the bid - organised by left-wingers - was backed by shadow minister Imran Hussain.
The Bradford East MP joined 38 colleagues calling for a “cessation of hostilities” and condemning Israel for waging “collective punishment” on Palestinians.
Sir Keir has been on the rack after saying Israel had “the right” to withhold fuel, food and water from Gaza - remarks he has since walked back.
Laying out their stance, shadow environment secretary Steve Reed today said: "Let me say to you why I think a ceasefire is not the right thing to call for.
"Israel, two weeks ago, suffered the worst terrorist attack in its entire history, the worst slaughter of Jewish people since the Holocaust.
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"There is a terrorist infrastructure in place set up by Hamas that did that.
"And we'll do it again, if Israel isn't allowed to dismantle it. So, Israel has that right to self-defence to protect its citizens."
JIHAD CALL COPS 'SOFT'
POLICE were last night accused of going soft on protesters who openly call for jihad at a pro-Palestine demo to be held in Central London today.
Jewish groups say the offensive rant should lead to arrest for glorifying terrorism or harassment.
But the Met chief in charge of the policing operation, Commander Kyle Gordon, would not guarantee demonstrators will be arrested for making the proclamation.