Sir Keir Starmer civil war erupts as Sadiq Khan joins quarter of Labour MPs defying him by calling for a ceasefire

LABOUR’S civil war over Israel escalated today as Sadiq Khan defied Sir Keir Starmer by calling for a ceasefire.

The Mayor of London joined a quarter of the party’s MPs to break ranks with the leader’s position on the conflict. 

GettySir Keir Starmer is trying to contain a Labour civil war on Israel[/caption]

London Mayor Sadiq Khan today released a video calling for a ceasefire

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.

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.”

Almost one in four Labour MPs have signed a Commons motion calling for a ceasefire. 

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.

“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.”

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