Shabana Mahmood, a vocal pro-Palestinian MP with a record of backing boycotts of Israel, becomes Britain’s new Home Secretary after Angela Rayner’s resignation.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Friday promoted Shabana Mahmood to Home Secretary in a sweeping cabinet reshuffle triggered by the resignation of Angela Rayner.
The move places Mahmood, MP for Birmingham Ladywood, at the heart of domestic security policy. Other key appointments include Yvette Cooper moving from Home Secretary to Foreign Secretary, and outgoing Foreign Secretary David Lammy becoming Justice Secretary and Deputy Prime Minister.
Mahmood, born in Birmingham to Pakistani parents, has long drawn attention for her pro-Palestinian activism. Her website describes her as a “passionate supporter of Palestinian rights.” According to the Jewish Chronicle, she has previously supported the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel.
In 2014, Mahmood led a protest against a Birmingham branch of Sainsbury’s over claims it sold products from Israeli settlements. The supermarket shut for several hours during peak weekend shopping. She later told activists: “We managed to close down that store at peak time on a Saturday. This is how we can make a difference.” Jewish leaders, including the Board of Deputies and Jewish Leadership Council, condemned her actions at the time.
Since the October 7 Hamas massacre and ensuing Gaza war, Mahmood has aligned herself with Labour’s cautious stance but continued to speak critically of Israel. In March 2024, she demanded an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, accusing Israel of killing innocent civilians. “The conduct of this war has been intolerable, with a disproportionate level of attacks on innocent people,” she wrote, noting international court scrutiny of Israeli actions.
At the same time, Mahmood has endorsed a two-state solution, rejecting calls for a one-state alternative: “A one-state solution does not make the people of Israel safe. It condemns them to insecurity in perpetuity. And it is an outrage to adopt a position that grants self-determination to Israelis but not Palestinians.”
Her promotion is being hailed by Labour supporters as a sign of inclusivity but is already raising alarm among Jewish groups and pro-Israel advocates, who fear her track record could strain UK-Israel relations.
