Opinion: Keir Starmer ignores election anger over Palestine at his peril

In his latest column, Middle East Eye editor-in-chief David Hearst argues that in its first two weeks in office, the new Labour government under Keir Starmer has shattered any hope of the UK changing course on Palestine.

He writes: "Last week, Starmer and Lammy flew to the US for the Nato summit. Others might say for instructions. Washington doubled down, saying it would pursue its own objection that the ICC had no jurisdiction over Israel.

Lammy’s next trip was to Israel, where he astonished many by shaking hands with Netanyahu, one of the men accused of crimes against humanity and war crimes by ICC prosecutor Karim Khan.

The timing of Lammy’s handshake could not have been worse.

The meeting took place just hours after Netanyahu had authorised an air strike on al-Mawasi in Khan Younis which had previously been designated a safe zone. Over 90 Palestinians were killed and hundreds wounded."

You can read the full column below.