Labour 'will not surrender' hope of peace for Israel and Palestine

Jeremy Corbyn calls for ceasefire, while Keir Starmer denounces attacks as Israel responds to strikes from Gaza and Lebanon

Labour leader Keir Starmer is joined by his wife Victoria after delivering his keynote speech to the Labour Party conference in Liverpool. PA

Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper speaks on the third day of the annual Labour Party conference. AFP

A delegate wears a hat with a slogan which reads 'Tories Out' at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool. Bloomberg

Mr Starmer speaks to shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves before she delivers a speech to the Labour conference in Liverpool. Getty Images

Delegates applaud. Getty Images

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, right, at the Labour conference. EPA

Delegates throng the ACC venue in Liverpool. EPA

David Lammy, shadow secretary of state for foreign, commonwealth and development, gives a speech to party delegates. Getty Images

Mr Starmer applauds his deputy Angela Rayner after her address. AFP

Ms Reeves, fourth from right, and shadow cabinet colleagues listen to a speech from Ms Rayner. AFP

An uninvited speaker is removed from the podium. Getty Images

Ms Rayner addresses delegates. Getty Images

Pat McFadden, left, shadow chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and national campaign co-ordinator, and Yvette Cooper, shadow home secretary, listen to the opening speeches. Getty Images

Delegates arrive at the Liverpool Convention Centre for day one of the Labour Party conference. Getty Images

Mr Starmer arrives at the venue. PA

Merchandise is seen in a store on the opening day of the conference. Reuters

Delegates arrive for the conference which will run from Sunday, October 8 to Wednesday, October 11. Getty Images

Labour Party branding is displayed on the outside of the venue. AFP

Liverpool councillor Heather Westhead, centre, attends the first day. AFP

Ms Rayner, right, and Johanna Baxter, chairwoman of the Labour Party National Executive Committee. Getty Images

Wirral South MP Alison McGovern gives the opening speech. Getty Images

Delegates visit the Labour Party shop. Bloomberg

Baby clothes with Labour slogans. Bloomberg

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Shadow foreign secretary David Lammy has said Labour will not surrender the hope of “two states living side-by-side in peace” as he condemned Hamas’s "indiscriminate" attacks.

Speaking at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool on Monday, he warned both Israelis and Palestinians were paying a "terrible price".

"Labour utterly condemns Hamas's appalling attack on Israel,” said Mr Lammy.

"There is never a justification for terrorism. Labour stands firmly in support of Israel's right to defend itself, rescue hostages and protect its citizens.

"The hostages so cruelly taken, including children, should be released immediately and Hamas's indiscriminate attacks set back the cause of peace – both Israelis and Palestinians paying a terrible price.

"There will not be a just and lasting peace until Israel is secure, Palestine is a sovereign state and both Israelis and Palestinians enjoy security, dignity and human rights.

"Though it may never have felt more distant, we will not surrender the hope of two states living side-by-side in peace."

He is the latest leading figure of the party to speak out about the escalating Gaza conflict during the conference, which runs until Wednesday.

Labour leader Keir Starmer denounced the attacks on Israel during his interview on the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme.

“It’s an appalling act of terrorism, it needs to be called out across the world,” Mr Starmer said.

“Israel has the right to defend itself.”

Wes Streeting, Labour’s shadow health secretary, shed light on the widespread violence that has been broadcast globally.

He said the violence “has to be unequivocally condemned”.

Mr Streeting expressed solidarity with Israel's right to self-defence, noting the detrimental effect of the continuing conflict on hopes for a peaceful resolution.

Former leader Jeremy Corbyn emphasised the need for an immediate ceasefire.

“The unfolding events in Israel and Palestine are deeply alarming,” Mr Corbyn said, stating that an end the occupation is the only viable path towards sustained peace.