The National Jewish Assembly (NJA) today strongly condemns Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s unfounded and misleading criticism of Israel’s decision to halt aid into Gaza, once again invoking the language of international law to cast blame on Israel while ignoring the legal realities and the ongoing threat posed by Hamas.
Starmer’s assertion in the Commons that Israel’s actions are “completely wrong” and his tacit endorsement of the claim that Israel is breaching international law are both factually inaccurate and deeply irresponsible. The truth is clear: under international humanitarian law, Israel is under no obligation to provide aid to an enemy actively at war with it – particularly when there is overwhelming evidence that Hamas routinely diverts humanitarian supplies for military use and continues to hold innocent hostages.
As demonstrated by leading legal experts, including those at the International Legal Forum, Israel’s actions are entirely justified under Article 23 of the Fourth Geneva Convention and customary international law. Israel is not occupying Gaza, has legitimate security concerns, and is fully entitled to halt supplies that are likely to be exploited by Hamas to sustain its war machine and further terror campaigns.
NJA Chairman Gary Mond said: “Keir Starmer’s comments are not only legally baseless but dangerously misleading. Once again, he is using the language of international law as a stick to beat Israel while turning a blind eye to the genocidal objectives of Hamas and the reality that humanitarian aid is being weaponised against the very civilians it is meant to help. Starmer’s words will embolden extremists, damage public understanding, and undermine the principles of justice. Given the BBC’s shameful history with the suppressed Balen Report, we sincerely hope that the same pattern of whitewashing and distortion does not extend into our highest office.”
Instead of condemning Israel, Starmer should be demanding that Hamas release its hostages and accept ceasefire proposals, and that those nations funding Hamas’s terror – like Qatar – be held to account.
