Prime Minister Rishi Sunak criticised pro-Palestine activists Youth Demand after the group organized a protest outside the private home of Labour leader Keir Starmer on Tuesday, criticizing the party’s position on Gaza.
The group showed the number of children killed in the conflict by placing children’s shoes on the steps outside Starmer’s house and hanging a banner on his hedge.
In a post to X, the group wrote: “Youth Demand pay @Keir_Starmer a visit. While 12,000 children in Gaza are killed, @UKLabour continue to allow the selling of arms to Israel. We are calling on their humanity.”
🚨 BREAKING: Youth Demand Pay @Keir_Starmer a Visit
Whilst 12,000 children in Gaza are slaughtered, @UKLabour continue to allow the selling of arms to Israel. We are calling on their humanity.
🤝 We won't stand for this. Donate to help us take action: https://t.co/AYrnfqCNPX pic.twitter.com/RkMp8TckKQ
— Youth Demand (@youth_demand) April 9, 2024
In response, Sunak said: “I don’t care what your politics are, no MP should be bothered at their own home. We cannot and will not tolerate this.”
I don’t care what your politics are, no MP should be harassed at their own home.
We cannot and will not tolerate this. https://t.co/w4YDtC0ZpO
— Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) April 9, 2024
On Monday Youth Demand protested at the Labour Party HQ in London by spraying the building with red paint, seeking an arms embargo against Israel. The police arrested 12 of the demonstrators.
Labour called for a halt to arms exports to Israel if there is evidence that international law has been violated, although government legal advice about that has not been shared to ministers. Starmer, so far, has withheld support for an embargo pending a review of the guidance.
