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🇬🇧 United Kingdom /Conflict & Security

Save the Children clashes with Labour after accusing Starmer of ‘complicity’ in Gaza deaths

From The Guardian · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Save the Children accused Keir Starmer of complicity in Gaza deaths via a social media post.
  • The charity's post, which included a mocked-up blue plaque, cited figures of Palestinian deaths and highlighted arms sales to Israel.
  • The UK government, a significant funder of Save the Children, expressed anger and demanded an explanation for the "irresponsible rhetoric."

The charity Save the Children has ignited a firestorm with a provocative social media post accusing Labour leader Keir Starmer of complicity in the deaths of thousands of civilians in Gaza. The organization posted a doctored image of a blue plaque on X, stating: “History will not forget complicity. Keir Starmer witnessed 73,000 Palestinians killed by Israeli forces, including 21,000 children, and kept supplying arms to Israel.”

History will not forget complicity. Keir Starmer witnessed 73,000 Palestinians killed by Israeli forces, including 21,000 children, and kept supplying arms to Israel.

— Save the ChildrenA social media post by the charity accusing Keir Starmer of complicity in Gaza deaths.

Starmer's government had imposed some restrictions on arms sales to Israel in 2024 but stopped short of a full suspension. The charity's post, viewed over 300,000 times, comes as Gaza's health ministry reports over 73,000 Palestinian deaths since the conflict began on October 7, 2023. The ministry also noted 1,000 deaths since a ceasefire began in October last year.

This is deeply irresponsible rhetoric from Save the Children at a time when MPs are already fearful for their safety.

— Government sourceCommenting on the charity's social media post and the perceived impact on MPs' safety.

Foreign Office officials reportedly contacted Save the Children for an explanation, especially given the government's substantial funding of the charity, which amounts to approximately £114 million since the start of 2024. A government source criticized the post as "deeply irresponsible rhetoric" at a time when MPs feel vulnerable, particularly after the recent killing of former Conservative MP Ann Widdecombe. The source added that Starmer has actively pushed for Palestinian state recognition and aid, making the charity's language "beyond the pale."

This to a prime minister who has recognised the state of Palestine and put so much pressure on other countries to come with us supporting Gaza, making sure we ringfence cash for Palestinians. It’s beyond the pale.

— Government sourceCriticizing the charity's post in light of the Prime Minister's actions regarding Palestine and Gaza.

Another minister condemned the post as "divisive hyperbole and misinformation completely unfitting for a children’s charity," arguing that such language devalues the concept of complicity and offers no help to children at risk globally. Meanwhile, Save the Children joined 16 other humanitarian organizations in a joint statement urging the incoming prime minister, Andy Burnham, to take decisive action on Gaza and the West Bank, including suspending arms sales to Israel and imposing trade sanctions for alleged international law breaches.

Divisive hyperbole and misinformation like this are completely unfitting for a children’s charity.

— MinisterExpressing disapproval of the charity's language and its suitability for a children's organization.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Guardian. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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