Prime Minister’s Gaffe on Middle East Peace Call Goes Viral

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer faced an unexpected viral moment during his keynote speech at the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool. In his address, he mistakenly called for the return of ‘sausages’ instead of ‘hostages’ from Gaza. The gaffe occurred as he was discussing serious geopolitical issues in the Middle East.

Speaking on September 24, Starmer highlighted the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the return of Israeli hostages taken during a Hamas attack. This call for peace came amid his commitment to a two-state solution, envisioning a recognized Palestinian state alongside a secure Israel. However, the slip of the tongue quickly overshadowed his message.

“I call again for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the return of the sausages – the hostages – and a recommitment to the two-state solution,” Starmer said. The error, initially a minor blip, rapidly gained traction on social media platforms, with the clip of the speech shared extensively.

The prime minister was addressing the gathering against a backdrop of both internal criticisms and international concerns. The audience included significant figures such as the Palestinian ambassador to the UK. During his speech, Starmer was heckled by an audience member questioning Labour’s stance on the Israel-Hamas conflict, who shouted, “Does that include the children of Gaza?”

In response, Starmer attempted to maintain the focus of his address on broader topics such as the UK’s economic future, emphasizing the need for “staying the course” through difficult decisions. He reassured the nation of a light at the end of the tunnel and reiterated his promises not to increase VAT, national insurance, or income tax.

Starmer’s speech also touched on domestic issues, notably condemning the summer’s riots and denouncing “vile” racism, which earned him applause from the conference hall.

This incident comes months after another notable gaffe involving U.S. President Joe Biden during a NATO summit, where Biden mistakenly introduced Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as Russian President Vladimir Putin, highlighting a series of high-profile public speaking mishaps among world leaders.