A LACK OF HUMANITY

ANAS SARWAR Muslims 'devastated' Starmer comments ..and it will take years to repair damage

- PAUL HUTCHEON

LABOUR LEADERS AT ODDS AS GAZA CONFLICT RAGES ON

A FURIOUS Anas Sarwar claimed Keir Starmer's comments on the bloodshed in Gaza lacked "empathy" and "humanity" during an emotional outburst.

The Scottish Labour leader outlined his anger at a meeting with MSPs over Starmer's backing for Israel cutting off humanitarian supplies to Gaza.

Sarwar also said a "repair job" with Muslim voters would be required "every day" by Labour until the general election.

He was upset with Starmer over a radio interview on October 11 in which the UK Labour leader suggested Israel had the "right" to withhold water and supplies from Gaza after the Hamas terror attack.

Starmer has faced harsh criticism from senior Labour figures for appearing to give full support to Israel in its war on Gaza in response to the October 7 attacks. He has since relented, saying humanitarian supplies should be allowed in.

According to a leaked account of a meeting of MSPs and a senior figure from the Labour Muslim Network on October 16, Sarwar thanked the Network for trying to get Labour into a more "sensible" position.

He added: "I recognise what you say around the hurt, particularly felt by Muslim communities. If anything, I would say you downplayed the hurt, rather than played it up.

"I can tell you first-hand how devastated people are right across the Muslim community. And that is not to negate or talk down the devastation felt in the Jewish community."