Speaking days after Hamas' recent terrorist attack on Israel, Mr Starmer told LBC's Nick Ferrari at Breakfast that Israel "has the right" to withhold power and water from Gaza. The Labour leader's comments sparked a furious backlash among those within the party, with several councillors quitting over his remarks. That includes Amna Abdullatif, the first Arab Muslim woman elected to Manchester City Council, Russell Whiting in Colwick, Nottinghamshire, and Mona Ahmed, a Labour councillor in Kensington and Chelsea. At least 19 Labour councillors have quit, including Oxford, where the party has lost its majority on the council. Some MPs have been critical of their leader's comments too, with more than 30 backing a call for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.