UK appoints anti-Israel justice minister as Muslims reject incoming Labour government

A newly installed top British government official has a history of anti-Israel, pro-Gaza sentiments that could impact how the UK's new ruling Labour Party will approach Israel's war with Hamas.

As early as March, Secretary of State for Justice Shabana Mahmood called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and has accused Israel of killing innocent civilians. But pro-Palestinian Muslim voters have nonetheless questioned her commitment to their cause.

"I have always supported a diplomatic process to stop the killing of innocent civilians, get humanitarian aid in and get the hostages out," Mahmoud wrote in a March letter to constituents. "But it is clear that diplomatic processes have not made sufficient progress. The conduct of this war has been intolerable, with a disproportionate level of attacks on innocent people that has rightly been the deliberations in international courts."

Mahmood won reelection in her constituency of Birmingham Ladywood, against a pro-Palestine Independent candidate Akmed Yakoob. She has faced criticism from the Muslim community for abstaining on a Gaza ceasefire vote in November and her refusal to resign from the shadow cabinet over her party’s support for Israel.

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As a Muslim woman and representative from a heavily Muslim city – the 2021 census found 29.9% of Birmingham’s residents identify as Muslim – Mahmood has kept atop the issue.

She acknowledged in February that the party had lost the trust of Muslim voters in Britain due to Labour’s support for Israel, Middle East Eye reported. Later that month, she signed and backed a new bill calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.

While the party has shown strong support for Israel, Mahmood’s own