Keir Starmer sparks controversy with comments on Israel's policies
Labour leader suggests it is acceptable to withhold power from Gaza
Spokesperson denies Starmer said Israel had the right to cut off power and water
The leader of the UK's Labour Party, Keir Starmer, has sparked controversy with comments suggesting it is acceptable to withhold power from the citizens of Gaza.
In an interview with the BBC, Starmer said that Israel had the right to "defend itself" and that he understood the "difficult decisions" it had to make in order to do so.
Starmer's comments have been widely condemned by human rights groups, who say that they legitimize Israel's illegal blockade of Gaza, which has caused a humanitarian crisis in the territory.
A Labour spokesperson has since denied that Starmer said Israel has the right to cut off power and water in Gaza, saying that the Labour leader's comments were taken out of context.
However, Starmer's comments have reignited a debate about the Labour Party's position on Israel and Palestine.
In recent years, the Labour Party has been accused of being anti-Semitic, and some members of the party have been suspended or expelled for making anti-Semitic comments.
Starmer's comments are likely to further damage the Labour Party's reputation among some voters, and they could also make it more difficult for the party to win the next general election.
Conclusion
Keir Starmer's comments on Israel's policies have sparked controversy and debate. It remains to be seen whether his comments will have any long-term impact on the Labour Party's reputation or its chances of winning the next general election.
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