The PM and Palestine

“Why doesn’t Starmer do more to stop the slaughter, to stop the starvation, to stop the genocide?” I’m often asked.

Well, it’s:

1. fear of Trump and

2. fear of accusations of Anti-semitism.

Let me explain…

1. Our PM feels he needs to appease Trump. Not just to secure a decent trade deal, and to avoid penal tariffs, but also because he feels burdened by the weight of responsibility as a diplomatic bridge between this notoriously petulant and narcissistic US President and his fellow world leaders. I’m sure i don’t need to spell out that Netanyahu’s government depends on US backing, and Trump is a loyal backer of the far-right politics of the Israeli regime.

2. I’m going to be outspoken and to accuse elements in the far-right Netanyahu regime of perpetually seeking to weaponise anti-semitism to defend themselves from criticism. Not only is this undermining actual anti-semitism, which is an unquestionably terrifying threat to Jews throughout the globe, and real prejudice which must be faced down by all decent people, but it has also paralysed some from being more robust in their criticism of the unacceptable behaviour of Netanyahu and his acolytes who bring shame on Israel, giving the country the impression of being a pariah state, and undermining the good people of that country. Starmer has become highly sensitised to the risk of being accused of anti-semitism, especially since the media feeding-frenzy during the recent period when accusations of anti-semitism overwhelmed the previous leadership.

So, our PM has been pushed into a corner, unable to act as I believe the majority of decent people in this country want him to. To stop this appalling slaughter and starvation. To recognise the state of Palestine. To be more forceful in his demand for a ceasefire and the return of all hostages from both sides (and to stop Netanyahu using hostages as a pretext to continue his murderous campaign). To impose trade sanctions on Israel. To stop ALL arms supply which may end up in the hands of Netanyahu’s regime. To support UN and criminal court resolutions.

I’m not excusing the PM. Just attempting to reasonably explain.