![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/139\/590x\/secondary\/Lisa-Nandy-5026164.jpg?r=1697965006466\")
<\/p>\nLisa Nandy was put on the spot by the BBC’s Victoria Derbyshire over why it took Sir Keir Starmer nine days to clarify Israel comments that sparked a string of Labour councillors to resign.<\/p>\n
The Labour leader appeared to suggest during an interview with LBC earlier this month that Israel had “the right” to withhold energy and water from Gaza following Hamas’s terror attacks.<\/p>\n
But Sir Keir on Friday denied backing Israel on withholding humanitarian aid from Gaza after his comments prompted a backlash from Muslims members.<\/p>\n
During an appearance on the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, stand-in host Derbyshire grilled Ms Nandy about Sir Keir’s remarks.<\/p>\n
The Labour frontbencher said: “He’s clarified this week that he was answering the previous question and then went on to talk about the importance of international law.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
“I was with Keir on October 7 when we held a vigil at Labour Party conference in support of Israeli civilians and what had happened with the horrendous Hamas attack.<\/p>\n
“He made the point at that vigil that international law must be respected and upheld and he’s made it many, many times since.”<\/p>\n
Derbyshire pressed: “The problem is it took him nine days to issue the clarification you’ve just referenced.<\/p>\n
“And in that time a number of people in Britain’s Muslim community have expressed anger at what he said and at the position of the Labour Party.<\/p>\n
“Various Muslim councillors have resigned, the Labour Muslim Network has asked for an apology – will they get one?”<\/p>\n
Ms Nandy replied: “We can’t apologise for holding a position that we’ve never held. Keir has been clear and consistent on this as has David Lammy and as have I.”<\/p>\n
The BBC host asked: “He wasn’t clear on that day with LBC though was he?”<\/p>\n
The Labour MP said: “That’s why he clarified when he was asked about it to make sure people hear loud and clear from us that international law must be upheld.”<\/p>\n
But Derbyshire again pointed out it took Sir Keir nine days.<\/p>\n
Ms Nandy said: “Look Keir and I met with aid agencies this week to talk about the unfolding crisis, the emergency on the ground.<\/p>\n
“I can tell you that we are acutely aware of what is happening in Gaza at the moment and the urgent need to get help to people.<\/p>\n
“We’re acutely aware that for Palestinians in Gaza this didn’t start on October 7, that they have been in crisis for over a decade and a half with very little prospect of peace.”<\/p>\n
Asked if she understood why some Muslim Labour supporters “felt alienated”, Ms Nandy added: “I completely understand why people in the Muslim community are in extraordinary amounts of pain right now and heard those words and felt very concerned.<\/p>\n
“I’m glad we’ve clarified that, I’m glad we’ve been consistent about that – Keir, David Lammy and myself – and continue to be consistent about that.”<\/p>\n