Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has said comments by Sir Keir Starmer which appeared to back Israel cutting off water and power to Gaza were “hurtful”.
The Labour leader has since rowed back on the remarks, made to broadcaster LBC, which resulted in resignations among Labour councillors and sparked anger among the party’s MPs.
Speaking to the Daily Record on Tuesday, the Scottish party leader said: “It was hurtful and I think he would accept it was hurtful. He accepts that it is not his position and it never was his position. But (that) language, framed as it was, did cause hurt.”
He went on to say that the comments could have been clarified and “rebuffed” sooner.
Mr Sarwar, along with London Mayor Sadiq Khan, are among the most high-profile members in the party to call for a ceasefire – something the UK’s party leadership has appeared resistant to.
On the relationship with Muslim members of the party, Mr Sarwar said there is “repair work to do” to restore “that trust and relationship”.
But he added that Sir Keir’s position on the conflict is not far from his own, saying: “I know how pained Keir is by this entire situation. I know how desperate he is for peace. I know how much he’s hurt by the LBC interview.
“He accepts his mistake in terms of his response.”
Sir Keir, Mr Sarwar said, is calling for a “humanitarian pause” to allow for aid to reach those in Gaza, the release of hostages, and a return to meaningful negotiations on reaching a two-state solution.
According to Labour MP Sir Chris Bryant, speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Sir Keir will use a speech on Tuesday to call for negotiations to be brought “back on track”.
The comments come as Middlesborough MP Andy McDonald has been suspended by Labour for referring to the phrase “between the river and the sea”, which a spokesman for the party described as “deeply offensive”.
Mr McDonald, however, said the reference was part of a “heartfelt plea” for peace in the Middle East, with a video he posted on X – formerly Twitter – showing he said: “We will not rest until we have justice.
“Until all people, Israelis and Palestinians, between the river and the sea, can live in peaceful liberty.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel