Starmer's Leadership Tested as Britons Scramble to Escape Escalating Lebanese Conflict

Aftermath of Israeli airstrikes in Beirut. Source: AP Photo

After the deadliest Israeli attack on Hezbollah since 2006, UK ministers, headed by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, urged British nationals to “leave Lebanon ‘immediately’”. These Britons are among the 90,000 people who have been displaced in three days, as recorded by the UN. 

At the recent Labour Party Conference held this past Tuesday, Starmer called for “restraint and de-escalation at the border between Lebanon and Israel” (4:55:20) before he headed to the UN General Assembly. He called for “all parties to pull back from the brink,” advocating for a ceasefire of the conflict. The UK government has since deployed 700 troops to Cyprus as support should the situation deteriorate further, in one of his first acts in office since the recent July election.

Defence Secretary John Healey has echoed his calls, saying, “Events in the past hours and days have demonstrated how volatile this situation is, which is why our message is clear, British nationals should leave now. We continue to urge all sides to step back from conflict to prevent further tragic loss of life.”

While the UK government is urging Britons to leave Lebanon, it is easier said than done. British nationals have described chaotic scenes at airports, where flights are scarce, and the fear of impending attacks hangs over travelers. Long waits are being reported for available flights—some as long as two weeks. For many, leaving Lebanon may mean abandoning family, property, and businesses with no guarantee of return.

Many are criticizing Starmer for his lack of practical assistance as citizens in Lebanon are left without any guidance on how to leave. Starmer’s handling of this situation will be a pivotal test of his leadership and show how effectively he can lead the UK through international crises during his tenure.

Israel, backed closely by the UK, justifies its recent airstrikes as a response to prevent more Hezbollah rockets being fired into northern Israel. The Shia militant group backed by Iran has been doing this since the Hamas attacks on Oct. 7. The strikes have forced the evacuation of more than 60,000 Israeli citizens.

The Israel Defence Forces targeted Hezbollah’s weapons, killing many in the organization, including its leader Hassan Nasrallah. As Hezbollah’s tactics include hiding among civilians, thousands of innocent bystanders have also been injured or killed, while Israel vows to continue its assault on Lebanon.

An Iranian demonstrator holds a photo of recently deceased leader Hassan Nasrallah to support Hezbollah in a Tehran protest. Source: AP Photo

The long-standing tensions between Israel and Hezbollah have been present since 1985 when the group emerged in response to the Israeli occupation in southern Lebanon. The latest escalation traces back to 2006 when a full-scale war broke out between the two, leaving parts of Lebanon devastated. Today, the resurgence of conflict is accompanied by valid fears that the violence could spiral into a larger regional war.

The UK has been aware and cautious of the prospect of this war for years, and their allegiance with Israel places them in a precarious position. Any engagement in Lebanon, even just in evacuation efforts, involves delicate diplomacy in order to balance the security of Israel with the security of the British people. 

Therefore, amidst the UK’s focus on evacuating British nationals a longer-term question remains: how can the UK navigate its relationships in the Middle East, particularly when key allies like Israel are involved in conflicts that place British nationals at risk?