Starmer’s blunt response to suspended Labour MP’s question on Israel arms sales

Sir Keir Starmer had a blunt one-word response to a suspended Labour MP when she asked him if the government would ban all arms sales to Israel.

Speaking as the House of Commons marked the first anniversary of the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel, Zarah Sultana — who lost the whip after supporting a motion to abolish the two-child benefit cap — asked the prime minister if he believes Israel’s right to self-defence “justifies” the death toll in the region, adding: “And will he do what is morally and legally right and end the Government’s complicity in war crimes by banning all arms sales to Israel.”

Sir Keir replied: “No... Banning all sales would mean none for defensive purposes.”