British PM calls on all parties in Middle East to 'step back from brink'

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he supported Israel's "right to defend itself against Iranian aggression, in accordance with international law". However, he added: "The region cannot endure another year. Civilians on all sides have suffered too much. Now all sides must step back from the brink and find the courage of restraint".

Mr Starmer described the 180 missiles fired at Israel as “not an act of defence by Iran, but an act of aggression in response to the death of a terrorist leader”. Iran’s attack was prompted by Israel’s killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut 10 days earlier.

Hezbollah has been attacking Israel continuously for the past year, forcing 60,000 people to flee their homes, he said, adding that UN resolutions require Hezbollah to move back north of the Litani River.

Starmer also said the UK would not take part in any Israeli retaliation against Iran.

Referring to the attack on 7 October last year, he told MPs: "Nobody in this house can really imagine what it was like to be buried under the bodies of your friends and hope that the terrorists wouldn't find you."

"No one in this house can truly imagine your city, your homes, your schools, your hospitals, your businesses being wiped out, with your neighbors and your families buried underneath. It's beyond our comprehension."

The one-year anniversary of the October 7 attacks is also a "sad day" for the entire Middle East, he said.

“More than 41,000 Palestinians have been killed, tens of thousands have been orphaned, nearly 2 million have been displaced, facing disease, starvation, despair, no access to proper healthcare or shelter,” Starmer said. “It is a living nightmare and it must end.”

While he acknowledged that a ceasefire seemed remote, let alone a two-state solution, Starmer said diplomacy was slow and required the UK to work in unison with international partners. He added that Palestine deserved to be recognised as a state but said this should come at the right time.

Starmer denied any suggestion that there was any retreat in the government’s support for Israel, and rejected repeated calls for a total ban on UK arms exports to the country, saying that “to do so would include a ban on weapons for defensive purposes”, which he opposed. However, he did have stern words for the Israeli government’s approach to aid in Gaza.

"There are ongoing restrictions on aid that cannot be justified. Israel must open more borders," Starmer said. "It is vital that they provide safe haven for aid workers. Too many people have died, including three British citizens. Israel must act now so that together with its allies we can ramp up humanitarian assistance before winter."

The British Prime Minister's statement sparked heated debate in Parliament. Many MPs disagreed, with some even calling for stronger sanctions against Iran, while others focused on the humanitarian situation, especially the number of children killed, and called for a ban on arms sales.

Phan Van Hoa