Pro-Palestinian demonstrators have gathered outside the Labour constituency office of MP Rushanara Ali, expressing discontent after she abstained from the recent Gaza ceasefire vote in Parliament.
Simultaneously, hundreds of schoolchildren have taken to the streets in London, denouncing Israel in the latest pro-Palestine demonstration.
Protest Against MP Ali:
Discontent Over Abstention:
The protesters targeted MP Rushanara Ali, accusing her of prioritizing her career over human rights by abstaining from the Gaza ceasefire vote.
A demonstrator expressed shock and anger, asserting that Ali had gone against the wishes of her constituents and the broader Palestine movement.
Street Demonstrations:
In Bethnal Green, east London, schoolchildren and adults marched with Palestinian flags, demanding Israel to ‘stop the war in Gaza.’
Chants for an immediate ceasefire resonated through the streets as the demonstrators voiced their discontent.
Voices of Dissent:
Disappointment and Disagreement:
A protester named Nomi expressed disappointment and disagreement with Ali’s decision to abstain, emphasizing the importance of supporting a ceasefire to protect the lives of civilians in Gaza.
Nomi conveyed a sense of shock, given Ali’s past advocacy for peace and social support.
Public Disapproval:
Nomi hoped to convey the public’s disagreement with Ali’s choice, contrasting it with those who took the risk to vote for a ceasefire despite potential consequences to their political careers.
Political Fallout and Keir Starmer’s Response:
Party Rebellion and Resignations:
The protest unfolds amidst a significant rebellion within the Labour Party, resulting in ten frontbench resignations following a Commons revolt.
Former leadership contender Jess Phillips was among those who quit, breaking a three-line whip on the SNP’s amendment calling for an immediate ceasefire.
Starmer’s Stance and Fallout:
Labour leader Keir Starmer faced criticism for his stance on the Israel crisis, with fears of potential damage to the party’s election hopes.
Starmer reiterated his support for humanitarian ‘pauses’ instead of a full ceasefire, emphasizing leadership as doing the right thing.
Defence Secretary’s Swipe:
Defence Secretary Grant Shapps criticized MPs voting for a ceasefire, suggesting it would give Hamas the green light for further terrorist acts.
The parliamentary vote resulted in a rejection of the SNP’s amendment, with 56 Labour MPs supporting a ceasefire.
Resignations and Fallout:
Following the vote, ten Labour MPs, including shadow ministers, resigned over their support for a ceasefire.
Jess Phillips announced her resignation from the shadow Home Office team, expressing the difficulty of supporting the military action in Israel and Palestine.
Public Opinion and Party Unity:
A Savanta poll indicated dissatisfaction among almost half of Muslim Labour supporters with Starmer’s handling of the Israel crisis.
Despite the internal strife, two-thirds of British Muslims planned to vote Labour.
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