Labour Party betrayed British Muslims over Gaza – which is why I resigned
Shaista Aziz confirmed that he is one of at least 23 members of the Labour Party Council who have resigned from the party since the beginning of the war between Israel and Hamas.
He explained, "In Oxford City Council, where I now work independently while eight of us have left, the reason for my resignation is that the leader of the Labour Party, Keir Starmer, horribly supported genocide punishment of the innocent Palestinians in Gaza."
He pointed out that "Neither Starmer nor anyone from his shadow cabinet has publicly and loudly called for a ceasefire or an end to Israel's deadly and indiscriminate use of force, which is crushing Gaza—one of the most densely populated areas in the world, crowded with 2.2 million people, nearly half of whom are children under 18 years of age."
Aziz added, "As someone involved in international aid for over 15 years, I have worked across the region, including the occupied Palestinian territories. I have seen the refugee camps in Gaza, Beach Camp, and Jabalia Camp, which were bombed horrifically."
He added, "I have spent decades working with international emergency aid teams trying to negotiate aid access to conflict areas, advocating for humanitarian access, and calling on governments and politicians to do the same. I never thought I would have to do the same within my party."
"If Starmer is so reckless with his words and so unprincipled as a leader, what will happen when he becomes prime minister at the next general election, as expected?"
Aziz stated, "The conflict between Israel and Palestine is not primarily an Islamic or Jewish issue, but a human rights issue, and that the conflict disproportionately affects Muslims and Jews around the world, and here in the UK, where people live in increasing fear of hate crimes."
Source: The Guardian