Sadiq Khan sparked a fresh dispute with Keir Starmer on Monday by urging a ban on arms sales to Israel.
The mayor of London insisted on halting weapons shipments after Israeli strikes in Rafah, which reportedly caused multiple casualties, as reported by The Telegraph.
Khan said, "Devastating and heartbreaking scenes in Rafah following yet another Israeli attack – in flagrant breach of the International Court of Justice ruling and international law. Our own government’s lack of leadership is beyond shameful. They must finally halt arms sales and put real pressure on to end this horror."
Khan's stance underscored the ongoing divisions within Labour over Gaza, posing challenges for Starmer's upcoming election campaign.
Several backbench MPs echoed Khan's call for an arms embargo, adding pressure on Starmer to take a tougher stance towards Israel.
Richard Burgon said, "Our government must not stand by while Israel ignores the World Court. It must act. Starting by ending arms sales to Israel."
Similarly, Sarah Owen highlighted the need to cease arm sales, stating, "Many of us have argued that continuing arm sales to Netanyahu against civilians in so-called ‘safe zones’ needs to be halted. This is why."
Previously, David Lammy, the Shadow Foreign Secretary, hinted at the possibility of an arms embargo over the Rafah strikes.
However, Labour has now openly advocated for such a ban, amidst concerns from MPs representing constituencies with significant Muslim populations.
Figures like Wes Streeting and Shabana Mahmood are among those facing pressure to address the issue.
Moglai Bap and Mo Chara of Kneecap perform at Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, Britain, June 28, 2025. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
Police may probe anti-Israel comments at Glastonbury
BRITISH police said they were considering whether to launch an investigation after performers at Glastonbury Festival made anti-Israel comments during their shows.
"We are aware of the comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival this afternoon," Avon and Somerset Police, in western England, said on X late on Saturday (28).
Irish hip-hop group Kneecap and punk duo Bob Vylan made anti-Israeli chants in separate shows on the West Holts stage on Saturday. One of the members of Bob Vylan chanted "Death, death, to the IDF" in a reference to the Israel Defense Forces.
"Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation," the police statement said.
The Israeli Embassy in Britain said it was "deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival".
Prime minister Keir Starmer said earlier this month it was "not appropriate" for Kneecap to appear at Glastonbury.
The band's frontman Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was charged with a terrorism offence last month for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah at a concert in November. He has denied the charge.
A British government minister said it was appalling that the anti-Israel chants had been made at Glastonbury, and that the festival's organisers and the BBC broadcaster - which is showing the event - had questions to answer.
Health secretary Wes Streeting said he was also appalled by violence committed by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
"I'd also say to the Israeli Embassy, get your own house in order in terms of the conduct of your own citizens and the settlers in the West Bank," Streeting told Sky News.
"I wish they'd take the violence of their own citizens towards Palestinians more seriously," he said.
(Reuters)