Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has launched a searing moral indictment against the key figures behind the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, placing Vladimir Putin, Benjamin Netanyahu, and Hamas in the same category of condemnation.
In a defining speech at the Scottish Labour conference in Glasgow, Sarwar articulated a position that has caused ripples across the UK political landscape. He refused to draw moral equivalencies between different acts of violence, stating that all attacks on innocent civilians are fundamentally wrong.
A Stark Moral Stance
"Let me be clear," Sarwar declared to delegates. "Vladimir Putin is wrong. Benjamin Netanyahu is wrong. And Hamas is wrong." He emphasised that the bombing of innocent civilians, whether in Mariupol or Gaza, is an unequivocal violation of human rights and international law.
The Glasgow MSP went further, drawing direct parallels between the suffering of different populations: "Just as we stand with the people of Ukraine, we stand with the people of Gaza. Just as we call for a ceasefire in Ukraine, we call for a ceasefire in Gaza."
Addressing the Hostage Crisis
Sarwar's condemnation extended to the ongoing hostage situation, demanding the immediate and unconditional release of all individuals taken by Hamas during the October 7th attacks. His comprehensive address positioned Scottish Labour as taking a firm ethical stand distinct from the more cautious approach sometimes seen in Westminster.
UK Labour's Evolving Position
The speech comes as UK Labour leader Keir Starmer faces internal pressure to adopt a stronger position regarding Gaza. Starmer recently shifted his language to call for a "sustainable ceasefire," a move that follows significant criticism of his earlier comments on the conflict.
Sarwar's unambiguous language represents the most forthright condemnation from any senior Labour figure to date, potentially signalling a new direction in the party's approach to international conflicts and human rights advocacy.
