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Claims / Keir Starmer / stated-that-israel-has-the-right-to-cut-off-food-and-water
Claim · published 25 July 2025 · updated 25 July 2025

Stated that Israel has the right to cut off food and water

Stated that Israel has the right to cut off food and water
Source post · 25 July 2025
Description

A claim on social media under Kier Starmers call to end the conflict in Gaza has sparked controversy as users claim he stated Israel had the right to cut off food and water two years ago.

The BBC States:

Sir Keir has faced criticism since appearing to say Israel had the "right" to cut off water and energy to Gaza.

He later clarified that he meant only that the country had a right to self-defence.

Owen Jones from The Guardian also covered this in more detail following Starmers comments

Facing an immediate and merited backlash, he sought to claim he had not said what he, in fact, had. “I was saying Israel had the right to self-defence,” he explained. “When I said ‘that right’, it was that right to self-defence. I was not saying Israel had the right to cut off water, food, fuel or medicines – on the contrary.”

While Owen is pushing his own narrative. To us, it seems pretty clear. Starmer DID say the comments, and then immediately retracted them on the same day. We think it's unfair to hound him 2 years later as if this is some kind of gotcha.

Evidence Every source is listed with its type. No verdict is issued.
Supporting the claim · 3
Against the claim · 1
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-67213191
Website News Article Verified
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/feb/05/keir-starmer-gaza-muslim-voters-labour
Website News Article Verified
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/5HQYfsUAf3s
Website Public Records Verified
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8_sht6p_SQ
Website Other Verified