LABOUR-supporting Muslims told Sir Keir Starmer to quit today as the row over the Labour leader’s backing for Israeli war crimes deepened with more councillors leaving the party.

Thousands of British Muslims across society signed an open letter telling Sir Keir that they had lost confidence in his leadership after he backed Israel cutting off food, water and power to Palestinians in Gaza, in breach of international law.

In another blow to the Starmer leadership, Labour MPs backed a Commons motion tabled by Socialist Campaign Group secretary Richard Burgon expressing “deep alarm at the Israeli military bombardment and total siege of Gaza and the resulting deaths and suffering,” and calling for an immediate ceasefire and an “end to the total siege of Gaza.”

Sir Keir tried to slither back onto the high ground today, using Prime Minister’s Questions to partially recalibrate Labour’s position.

He said that “food, fuel and water must get into Gaza immediately” — the very things he had endorsed the Israeli government cutting off.

But neither he nor PM Rishi Sunak backed calls for a ceasefire, instead emphasising Israel’s “right to defend itself” through continuing attacks on Gaza “within international law.”

They also joined in condemning the surge in anti-semitic and Islamophobic incidents in Britain.

The letter to Sir Keir from British Muslims states: “Your consistent defence of Israel’s actions, often with limited regard for the humanitarian plight of the Palestinians, has left many members of the Muslim community feeling unheard and unrepresented.

“It is essential to acknowledge the human rights concerns raised by international organisations regarding Israeli policies and practices,” they write, rejecting Labour’s view that Hamas is solely responsible for the conflict.

“If these concerns are not adequately addressed, your position as the leader of the Labour Party will become untenable for the Muslim community.”

The Commons motion, which also condemned the massacres carried out by Hamas and called for the release of hostages, had been signed by at least 43 MPs, including Labour MPs John McDonnell, Beth Winter, Grahame Morris and Zarah Sultana.

It was further backed by Jeremy Corbyn, Diane Abbott and Claudia Webbe — all denied the Labour whip by Sir Keir — as well as members of several other parties including the SNP and Plaid Cymru.

Conservative MP Sir Peter Bottomley, the Father of the House, and Green MP Caroline Lucas are also among the signatories.

“Preventing the death of any more civilians must be our top priority,” Mr Burgon said today. “That means we need an immediate ceasefire.”

Labour is facing large-scale resignations among councillors irate about Sir Keir’s pro-war crimes stance and the ban on attending solidarity marches. 

Further departures were reported today in London, Cambridge, Gloucester and Gedling in Nottinghamshire, joining colleagues in Manchester, Stroud and Oxford who quit earlier.

Gloucester councillor Usman Bhaima said: “The party is no longer a safe space for Palestinians, Muslims and those who care about justice.” 

In Islington, Asima Shaikh wrote that “a party whose leadership encourages such war crimes is not one my conscience would permit me to remain a member of.”

Gedling’s Russell Whiting wrote that he could no longer support Sir Keir becoming prime minister after his backing for Israel’s blockade of Gaza.

A Labour official, believed to be a member of the party’s executive, has described these councillors as “fleas” to be shaken off. 

But a panicked meeting with council leaders held on Monday night failed to stem the tide of resignations.

A national demonstration to demand the end of the war on Gaza, called by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Stop the War, CND, the Muslim Association of Britain and other campaign groups, will be held in London this Saturday October 21, meeting at Marble Arch from noon.