A newly installed top British government official has a history of anti-Israel, pro-Gaza sentiments that could impact how the UK’s new ruling Labour Party will approach Israel’s war with Hamas.
As early as March, Secretary of State for Justice Shabana Mahmood called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and has accused Israel of killing innocent civilians. But pro-Palestinian Muslim voters have nonetheless questioned her commitment to their cause.
“I have always supported a diplomatic process to stop the killing of innocent civilians, get humanitarian aid in and get the hostages out,” Mahmoud wrote in a March letter to constituents. “But it is clear that diplomatic processes have not made sufficient progress. The conduct of this war has been intolerable, with a disproportionate level of attacks on innocent people that has rightly been the deliberations in international courts.”
Mahmood won reelection in her constituency of Birmingham Ladywood, against a pro-Palestine Independent candidate Akmed Yakoob. She has faced criticism from the Muslim community for abstaining on a Gaza ceasefire vote in November and her refusal to resign from the shadow cabinet over her party’s support for Israel.
Labour candidate Jonathan Ashworth lost to pro-Palestine independent candidate Shockat Adam, marking one of the biggest upsets in the election, according to The Guardian. Adam won by just 979 votes.
Ashworth had held his seat since 2011 and served as shadow paymaster general, a post he would have taken in the official cabinet if he had won his race. Instead, the residents of Leicester South rejected him for a candidate who has spoken out against Israel and dedicated his victory to “The people of Gaza,” Sky News reported.
Districts with a 20% or greater Muslim population saw a 23-point drop in support for Labour, leading to five seats lost in the landslide victory, including in Birmingham districts and Blackburn. In areas with significant Muslim populations – but below the 20% threshold – Labour candidates notched very narrow wins.
Some in the party have not hidden their dissatisfaction with the party’s stance on Gaza, including new British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who told the BBC that his party will “work with partners to seek Palestinian recognition.”