A Muslim campaign organization, known as The Muslim Vote, has presented Keir (Stalin) Starmer, the Labour Party leader, with 18 demands in an effort to regain the support of voters who felt alienated by his initial position on Israel’s military actions in Gaza.
The group calls for Starmer to apologize for his early support of Israel’s campaign against Hamas and to pledge to sever military ties with Israel, among other demands.
Following the local election results, which the Muslim Council of Britain described as a “wake-up call” for politicians regarding their Gaza policies, The Muslim Vote underscored its list of demands. Labour’s campaign chief, Pat McFadden, acknowledged that their stance on the Gaza conflict had indeed cost them votes in the local elections; Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves echoed this sentiment, regretting the loss of support but highlighting Labour’s call for an immediate ceasefire and the release of hostages.
The Labour Party has faced criticism from the left-wing group Momentum; it urged stronger action against arms sales to Israel, especially after attacks in Rafah. Labour’s losses in areas like Oldham, where the Muslim vote was significant, have been attributed to dissatisfaction with the party’s Gaza policy.
The Muslim Vote’s demands include an apology from Starmer for what they term “greenlighting a genocide,” sanctions on companies in occupied Palestinian territories, recognition of Palestine as a state, and a travel ban on certain Israeli politicians.
They also seek cultural accommodations; these include allowing Muslim prayer in schools and ensuring no discrimination in insurance pricing based on names associated with Muslim identity.
The group claims broad support within the Muslim community; some of its supporting organizations, however, have been labeled as potentially extremist by Michael Gove.
The Muslim Vote has a strategic approach; it targets constituencies with significant Muslim populations to influence voting behavior.
Labour has not yet commented on these demands. Below is a summary of The Muslim Vote’s list:
- Apology for statements perceived as endorsing genocide and not supporting a ceasefire.
- Economic sanctions on companies and settlers in occupied territories.
- Recognition of Palestine as a state.
- Travel ban for Israeli politicians involved in the conflict.
- Termination of military ties with Israel.
- Allowing Muslim prayer in schools.
- Adoption of the Prevent review by the public, not Shawcross.
- Removal of Michael Gove’s extremism definition.
- Commitment to media regulation via the Royal Charter.
- Adoption of the All-Party Parliamentary Group’s Islamophobia definition.
- Review of public sector equality duties.
- Increased funding for deprived areas to tackle health inequities.
- Provision of alternative student finance options.
- Availability of Sharia-compliant pensions in workplaces.
- Equal insurance pricing regardless of name.
- Allocation of public sector pensions to ethical and Islamic funds.
Do you, as a native of the United Kingdom, agree with Starmer? Should we continue to bow down to the demands of this ignorant, misogynistic, fanatical and dangerous ideology? Or should Start be charged with crimes against humanity?
