For Labour, the Gaza crisis is a foreign policy tightrope in waiting
by Patrick Wintour Diplomatic editor from on (#6N7RN)
Starmer's belief in international law and the rise of Labour Friends of Israel offer clues to potential stance on Palestinian statehood
A snap election, and the certainty that the Gaza crisis will not be resolved by polling day, means Keir Starmer already knows the first foreign policy challenge of his expected premiership.
Even if the peace proposal announced by Joe Biden on Friday is accepted by both Israel and Hamas, something a Labour-run Foreign Office would encourage, vast issues remain concerning the future role of Hamas and Iran in Middle Eastern politics, as well as Israel's conduct in the conflict, and restoration of faith in the universality of international law.
Continue reading...