UK opposition leader confronted on train: How many more children have to die in Gaza?

By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) - Britain's main opposition Labour Party leader Keir Starmer was again challenged Thursday for his much-criticized stance in the face of Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip.

While on a train to Glasgow, Scotland to attend an event, a passenger approached Starmer and asked: "Keir, how many more children in Palestine have to die before you call for a cease-fire?"

Starmer has been widely criticized for failing to demand a cease-fire in Gaza while he is accused of being "complicit in Israeli crimes."

"Over 7,000 children have died, over 7,000 children have been slaughtered by Israel. This is unacceptable," said the male passenger who filmed the encounter.

While he kept talking to Starmer, two transport police officers approached him and tried to prevent him from filming.

But he kept asking: "What happened to human rights, what happened to democracy ... where is your humanity."

The footage showed Starmer silent and not responding to the questions.

Later, when he arrived in Glasgow, Starmer faced a protest by a group who accused him of being a "war criminal."

One of the protesters said: "Keir Starmer you are facilitating Israel's genocide in Gaza."

When he left the station, another group of protesters chanted: "Free Palestine" in the middle of the road, meters from Starmer's car.

The protest continued outside of a hotel where the Labour leader is staying.

Starmer has been under fire for repeatedly refusing to demand a cease-fire, especially after his controversial remarks during an interview where he said Israel had the "right" to cut power and water supplies to Palestinians living in Gaza.

The Labour Party has seen a series of resignations from councilors following those remarks, while hundreds of Muslim councilors, including MPs, urged party leadership to demand an immediate cease-fire.

Labour Party leadership has also a sparked a wide-range of backlash after not voting for a motion in parliament last month to demand a cease-fire in Gaza.