Labour mobilizes activists in Muslim areas amid poor Gaza conduct

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: News websites
16 Jun 2024 16:06
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Labour Party is working on promoting its campaigns in Muslim communities, fearing a downturn in the upcoming elections.

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An unidentified man hugs Britain's opposition Labour Party leader Keir Starmer during his speech at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool, England, on October 10, 2023. (AP)

The British Labour Party is directing activists to campaign in seats with substantial Muslim populations, fearing the alienation it has experienced due to its stance on the war on Gaza.

Led by Keir Starmer, the Labour Party has supported the Israeli war on Gaza and has been heavily criticized for comments he made after the outbreak of the war on Gaza, for seemingly supporting "Israel's" withholding of aid from Palestinians.

He has also been criticized by humanitarians, namely Alastair Russell, head of Public Affairs at Save the Children UK.

"It is deeply disappointing that Keir Starmer has continued to rebuff this vital humanitarian call," Russell said, in reference to Starmer's negative remarks on the need for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

Supposedly representing a progressive political line, Labour has failed to live up to the expectations of many Britons who recognize the impact of Israeli war crimes in Gaza.

It took Labour nearly 140 days of the war on Gaza and hundreds of massacres to call for a temporary humanitarian ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

Currently, Labour is focusing its campaign on Conservative and Scottish National Party seats but is also targeting 13 Labour-held seats where Muslims make up at least a fifth of the electorate.

Concerns arose after George Galloway's Workers Party of Britain win in Rochdale and a drop in Labour's Muslim vote, attributed to the party's stance on Gaza and leader Starmer's comments.

Labour's website directs volunteers to campaign in key constituencies, including those with significant Muslim populations. Despite worries, a Savanta poll showed 63% of Muslim voters still plan to vote Labour, with the NHS, cost of living, and the economy as top concerns.

However, the poll does reveal that 86% of those Muslim voters who rank Gaza as one of their main concerns would consider voting for a pro-Palestine independent candidate.