Keir Starmer has had the rug pulled out from underneath him by Muslim leaders who accused the Labour leader of ‘gravely misrepresenting' a visit to the South Wales Islamic Centre, with the Labour leader also being accused of making an Imam cry.
He visited the South Wales Islamic Centre in Cardiff on Sunday but has since faced backlash for the visit.
The centre apologised for the "hurt and confusion" caused by hosting Starmer in a statement last night, saying the intention was to draw attention to the suffering of people in Palestine.
The statement also saw local leaders express "dismay" at the Labour Party's social media post about the visit, saying it "gravely misrepresented" the nature of the visit.
Starmer had shared images of the visit on social media, saying: "I was grateful to hear from the Muslim community of the South Wales Islamic Centre.
"I repeated our calls for all hostages to be released, more humanitarian aid to enter Gaza, for the water and power to be switched back on, and a renewed focus on a two-state solution."
But hitting back, the South Wales Islamic Centre said: "We wish to stress Keir Starmer’s social media post and images gravely misrepresented our congregants and the nature of the visit.
"We affirm, unequivocally, the need for a free Palestine
.
"We implore all those with political authority to uphold international law, and the end to the occupation of Palestine.”
It added: "There was a robust and frank conversation which reflected the sentiments Muslim communities are feeling at this time.
"Members of the community directly challenged Keir on his statements made on the Israeli government’s right to cut food, electricity and water to Gaza, warranting war crimes as well as his failure to call for an immediate ceasefire."
According to a source who spoke to Skwawkbox, Starmer's visit caused an Imam to breakdown in tears while explaining to a journalist that he was “not aware of what Keir Starmer had said in support of genocide and war crimes”.
The source said: "He cried as he explained that he would never betray Palestinians by associating or collaborating in the propaganda of anyone who supports war crimes and genocide against them."
A separate statement from the SWIC claimed the event was initially organised with "local representatives" adding that the "knowledge of Keir Starmer’s attendance was given at short notice".
They added: "While our intention was to raise the issue of suffering of Palestinians, regrettably the outcome has put the South Wales Islamic Centre and the wider Muslim community into disrepute."
Starmer has faced backlash from the Muslim community after he appeared to support Israel’s decision to limit supplies to Gaza.
Amna Abdullatif - the first Arab Muslim woman elected to Manchester City Council - resigned from the party last week, accusing the Labour leader of making "horrifying comments" about Palestine in an interview with LBC.
The controversial interview saw Starmer say that "Israel has the right" to withhold power and water from Palestinian civilians.
But he added: "Obviously, everything should be done within international law".
Since the interview, a number of senior Labour figures - including Starmer himself - have made it clear they want Israel to act in line with international law, calling for the country to allow humanitarian aid into the war-torn region.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Starmer has faced backlash from the Muslim community after he appeared to support Israel’s decision to limit supplies to Gaza
PA
But the crisis is taking its toll on the party, with one Labour MP telling Politico they have received 1,000 emails from constituents, the majority of whom are not Muslim voters.
Another said Starmer approach tot he conflict is "infuriating a lot of people”.
Meanwhile, a shadow minister said: "It’s united MPs on the left, right and centre of the party … There’s no recognition that we are haemorrhaging Muslim votes massively, enough to lose seats if there was an election tomorrow."
Sir Keir Starmer has called further crisis this afternoon, as Labour is said to be "haemorrhaging voters" as a result of its stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict.
The Labour leader, alongside his deputy Angela Rayner, will meet with Muslim MPs in order to abate concerns that the party is turning its back on Palestine.
