Critics of This Site have attacked observations here about Keir Starmer’s attitude to Israel: if not ‘fence-sitting’ – maybe electioneering?
The UK government’s stance on Israel used to be wholehearted support – and that isn’t the case today.
The idea of Keir Starmer “sitting on the fence” is perhaps too simplistic, but there’s a valid case that his approach has become more circumspect as the situation has unfolded. Here’s why:
A strategic softening
The government has taken significant steps back from the kind of unequivocal support it was offering Israel at the onset of the conflict.
Buy Cruel Britannia in print here. Buy the Cruel Britannia ebook here. Or just click on the image!
Starmer, who initially echoed strong support for Israel’s right to defend itself, has now suspended some arms licenses to Israel — albeit framed as a legal decision rather than a shift in policy.
This is a sign of caution, signalling a response to growing international concern over the humanitarian toll of the conflict.
If not ‘fence-sitting’ – maybe electioneering?
The timing of these decisions cannot be ignored: the UK government’s more measured stance may well be an effort to balance competing domestic pressures — including mounting criticism from the Labour Party’s left wing, pro-Palestinian groups, and Muslim voters.
With local elections on the horizon, these moves could be an attempt to regain support from key voter blocs who have become disillusioned by what they see as Starmer’s continued alignment with Israel.
This tactical repositioning appears not to have been a total about-turn but rather a way to manage optics without losing core support for Israel’s security.
Maintaining Israel’s “right to self-defence”
Despite some softening, Starmer has consistently rejected calls to end arms sales to Israel completely, reinforcing his commitment to Israel’s right to self-defence.
His statements claim that a total arms ban would be “a wrong position” for the UK, and so far, his actions haven’t moved beyond limited, carefully calibrated adjustments.
This is, indeed, far from fence-sitting; it’s a calculated stance meant to reassure both pro-Israel allies and domestic critics.
Human rights
The government has begun to acknowledge concerns about human rights violations and war crimes more openly.
The suspension of certain arms licences and the criticism of Israel’s conduct in Gaza, especially in relation to its treatment of civilians and humanitarian access, reflects an increasing willingness to address the complexities of the conflict.
But these critiques have been relatively limited in scope, with Starmer’s administration choosing not to escalate calls for full accountability or a change in policy.
Starmer the chameleon, changing his colours again?
Fair enough, then – Starmer’s approach isn’t ‘fence-sitting’; that was an over-optimistic appraisal.
Instead, his approach seems to reflect an attempt to balance support for Israel with the need to maintain domestic credibility and navigate complex geopolitical concerns.
While it is clear that the government is no longer offering the unqualified support it once did, this shift seems strategically designed to manage both domestic pressures and international considerations.
It may also be viewed as an attempt to recalibrate ahead of local elections, ensuring that Starmer can appeal to a broader electorate without abandoning Israel entirely.
So once again he appears in his guise as political chameleon, changing his colours to reflect what he thinks will win votes.
Public reactions suggest that this is a mistake. Are we tired of this constant ambiguity? Is it time for a leader who actually stands for something?
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Starmer’s attitude to Israel: if not ‘fence-sitting’ – maybe electioneering?
Critics of This Site have attacked observations here about Keir Starmer’s attitude to Israel: if not ‘fence-sitting’ – maybe electioneering?
The UK government’s stance on Israel used to be wholehearted support – and that isn’t the case today.
The idea of Keir Starmer “sitting on the fence” is perhaps too simplistic, but there’s a valid case that his approach has become more circumspect as the situation has unfolded. Here’s why:
A strategic softening
The government has taken significant steps back from the kind of unequivocal support it was offering Israel at the onset of the conflict.
Buy Cruel Britannia in print here. Buy the Cruel Britannia ebook here. Or just click on the image!
Starmer, who initially echoed strong support for Israel’s right to defend itself, has now suspended some arms licenses to Israel — albeit framed as a legal decision rather than a shift in policy.
This is a sign of caution, signalling a response to growing international concern over the humanitarian toll of the conflict.
If not ‘fence-sitting’ – maybe electioneering?
The timing of these decisions cannot be ignored: the UK government’s more measured stance may well be an effort to balance competing domestic pressures — including mounting criticism from the Labour Party’s left wing, pro-Palestinian groups, and Muslim voters.
With local elections on the horizon, these moves could be an attempt to regain support from key voter blocs who have become disillusioned by what they see as Starmer’s continued alignment with Israel.
This tactical repositioning appears not to have been a total about-turn but rather a way to manage optics without losing core support for Israel’s security.
Maintaining Israel’s “right to self-defence”
Despite some softening, Starmer has consistently rejected calls to end arms sales to Israel completely, reinforcing his commitment to Israel’s right to self-defence.
His statements claim that a total arms ban would be “a wrong position” for the UK, and so far, his actions haven’t moved beyond limited, carefully calibrated adjustments.
This is, indeed, far from fence-sitting; it’s a calculated stance meant to reassure both pro-Israel allies and domestic critics.
Human rights
The government has begun to acknowledge concerns about human rights violations and war crimes more openly.
The suspension of certain arms licences and the criticism of Israel’s conduct in Gaza, especially in relation to its treatment of civilians and humanitarian access, reflects an increasing willingness to address the complexities of the conflict.
But these critiques have been relatively limited in scope, with Starmer’s administration choosing not to escalate calls for full accountability or a change in policy.
Starmer the chameleon, changing his colours again?
Fair enough, then – Starmer’s approach isn’t ‘fence-sitting’; that was an over-optimistic appraisal.
Instead, his approach seems to reflect an attempt to balance support for Israel with the need to maintain domestic credibility and navigate complex geopolitical concerns.
While it is clear that the government is no longer offering the unqualified support it once did, this shift seems strategically designed to manage both domestic pressures and international considerations.
It may also be viewed as an attempt to recalibrate ahead of local elections, ensuring that Starmer can appeal to a broader electorate without abandoning Israel entirely.
So once again he appears in his guise as political chameleon, changing his colours to reflect what he thinks will win votes.
Public reactions suggest that this is a mistake. Are we tired of this constant ambiguity? Is it time for a leader who actually stands for something?
Vox Political needs your help!
If you want to support this site
(but don’t want to give your money to advertisers)
you can make a one-off donation here:
Be among the first to know what’s going on! Here are the ways to manage it:
1) Register with us by clicking on ‘Subscribe’ (bottom right of the home page). You can then receive notifications of every new article that is posted here.
2) Follow VP on Twitter @VoxPolitical
3) Like the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/VoxPolitical/
Join the Vox Political Facebook page.
4) You could even make Vox Political your homepage at http://voxpoliticalonline.com
5) Follow Vox Political writer Mike Sivier on BlueSky
6) Join the MeWe page at https://mewe.com/p-front/voxpolitical
7) Feel free to comment!
And do share with your family and friends – so they don’t miss out!
If you have appreciated this article, don’t forget to share it using the buttons at the bottom of this page. Politics is about everybody – so let’s try to get everybody involved!
Buy Vox Political books so we can continue
fighting for the facts.
Cruel Britannia is available
in either print or eBook format here:
The Livingstone Presumption is available
in either print or eBook format here:
Health Warning: Government! is now available
in either print or eBook format here:
The first collection, Strong Words and Hard Times,
is still available in either print or eBook format here:
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