The upcoming general election in the UK is heating up as Sir Keir Starmer faces a fresh challenge over his stance on Gaza. Kamel Hawwash, a former head of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, is running against shadow veterans minister Steve McCabe in Birmingham Selly Oak, a seat with a significant Muslim population.
Hawwash, a Professor at the University of Birmingham, quit the Labour Party last year after Sir Keir appeared to support Israel’s actions in Gaza. He accused the Labour leader of having “blind support for Israel” and “throwing Palestinians under a bus.”
Launching his campaign, Hawwash criticized both Starmer and McCabe for their positions on the conflict. He accused Starmer of condoning Israel’s actions in Gaza and McCabe of failing to represent the views of his constituents on the issue.
Despite polls showing McCabe with a comfortable lead in the seat, there are concerns that pro-Palestine voters could rebel at the election, potentially costing Labour seats across the country. The recent local elections saw Labour make gains but also lose votes to pro-Palestine candidates.
Starmer has faced criticism for his initial comments on Gaza, where he appeared to support Israel withholding humanitarian aid. He later clarified his remarks but the issue continues to be a point of contention for voters, particularly in Muslim communities.
Reliance, the group under which Hawwash is running, plans to field more candidates in vulnerable Labour areas in the upcoming election. The Muslim Vote campaign group is also pressuring Labour over the Gaza conflict, issuing a list of demands to Sir Keir to win back support.
As the election approaches, the issue of Gaza and the candidates’ positions on the conflict are likely to play a significant role in shaping voter decisions. Sir Keir and Labour will need to navigate these challenges to secure a successful outcome in the general election.