UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has faced accusations of racism following his address to the nation regarding the Iranian missile strike on Israel. In a speech delivered from Number 10, designed to evoke a sense of national urgency, Starmer expressed unwavering support for Israel, a nation often described as an apartheid state.
Starmer condemned Iran’s actions, stating, “In the last few hours, the Iranian regime has launched over 200 ballistic missiles at civilian targets in Israel.” Despite acknowledging that “it’s too soon” to assess the impact fully, he said, “I utterly condemn this attempt by the Iranian regime to harm innocent Israelis, to escalate this incredibly dangerous situation and push the region ever closer to the brink.”
Iran, however, claims it targeted Israel’s military installations, including a building housing Mossad, located in a civilian area of Tel Aviv. Israeli officials have reported no serious injuries from the missile strike, with only two individuals slightly wounded by shrapnel.
In his address, Keir Starmer asserted that Britain would “stand with Israel and recognise her right to self-defence in the face of this aggression,” reiterating the UK’s firm opposition to violence. He stated, “Make no mistake, Britain stands full square against such violence. We support Israel’s reasonable demand for the security of its people.”
Starmer’s remarks have sparked sharp criticism. Many observers accuse him of perpetuating a hierarchy of racism that has become characteristic of the Labour Party under his leadership. Commentator Owen Jones expressed on X, “He hasn’t showed even 1 per cent of the fury on display here for the tens of thousands of Palestinians butchered by Israel.” He added, “There is a word for this disparity. It is called racism.”
Critics also highlighted Starmer’s apparent double standards, noting his prior support for Israel’s decision to cut off water and fuel supplies to Palestinians in Gaza, a move that has been followed by actions many view as genocidal. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is currently investigating Israel for alleged genocide.
Richard McNeil-Willson, a lecturer in Middle Eastern politics, expressed confusion over Starmer’s stance, stating, “Israel has a right to self-defence, but Lebanon does not? Israelis have the right to be safe, but Palestinians do not? Iran can’t launch missiles into civilian areas, but Israel can? None of this is coherent.”
Leanne Mohamad, an independent candidate who significantly reduced Labour’s majority in her constituency during the last general election, also condemned the position of Keir Starmer. She remarked on X, “Palestinian lives are an inconvenient truth for this miserable government,” said Mohamad on X. “We don’t matter. Only Israeli security matters and only Israel has the right to self-defence — such is the inequality built into the current world order.”