Corbyn urges next prime minister to break with Starmer on Israel

Jeremy Corbyn has urged Britain’s next prime minister to reverse Keir Starmer’s policy on Israel, arguing that Starmer’s government made the UK complicit in Israel’s war in Gaza. Writing in Al Jazeera, the former Labour leader said Starmer’s successor should stop arms exports to Israel, impose broad sanctions and support a public inquiry into British involvement.

Corbyn’s article followed Starmer’s resignation last week. He pointed to a resurfaced October 2023 radio interview in which Starmer, then Labour leader, was asked whether Israel had the right to cut off water and power to Gaza and replied: “I think Israel does have that right.”

Corbyn said that comment reflected Starmer’s later approach in office. He accused Starmer of helping Israel politically while in opposition and then providing military support after becoming prime minister in July 2024.

According to Corbyn, arms export licences approved after Labour entered government sharply exceeded those authorised under the previous Conservative government. He cited figures showing licences worth 127.6 million pounds, or $168.8 million, were granted from October to December 2024.

Corbyn also criticised Labour Foreign Secretary David Lammy’s September 2024 decision to suspend some arms exports to Israel. He said the pause covered about 30 licences out of roughly 350 and left in place supplies linked to F-35 fighter jets, including components routed through the United States and parts entering global stockpiles that could reach Israel.

RAF base and sanctions

Corbyn said the debate over UK arms sales should not obscure what he described as the role of RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus. He said the base had been used for regular British surveillance flights over Gaza.

He cited Starmer’s December 2024 visit to the base, where the prime minister told service members that much of their work could not be discussed publicly. Corbyn said that secrecy should not prevent scrutiny of the UK’s military role.

Corbyn argued that Britain had also supported Israel economically and diplomatically. He said the government should use sanctions and other tools against Israel, as it has against Russia, and called limited sanctions on some settlers and ministers inadequate.

Inquiry demand

Corbyn said he presented a private member’s bill in June 2025 calling for an independent public inquiry into British involvement in Israeli military operations in Gaza. He said the government blocked the proposal, saying there was “no need” for such an inquiry.

After that, Corbyn said, supporters held their own tribunal. He said witnesses there alleged British government complicity in war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.

Corbyn said he later wrote to the International Criminal Court asking it to interview ministers, including Starmer, about Britain’s role. He argued that an ICC investigation could deliver accountability that, in his view, previous inquiries into the Iraq war did not.

Corbyn identified former Manchester mayor Andy Burnham as Starmer’s likely successor and said Burnham should end all arms sales to Israel, impose comprehensive sanctions and reverse restrictions on protest. He also called for Palestine Action to be removed from the list of proscribed groups.

Corbyn linked those demands to wider domestic policy, criticising Starmer’s support for higher military spending while, in Corbyn’s view, failing to address poverty, homelessness and welfare. He urged Burnham to shift funding toward schools and the National Health Service and backed wealth taxes, rent controls and an end to privatisation in energy, rail, mail, water and healthcare.

This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.