Shabana Mahmood: The new UK home secretary on Palestine

Shabana Mahmood has become the UK's new home secretary, placing her political record on Israel and Palestine under renewed scrutiny. In the past, she established a pro-Palestinian reputation by condemning Israel's 2010 Gaza flotilla attack and protesting goods from illegal settlements. However, her position has been questioned more recently after she abstained on a key parliamentary vote for a ceasefire in Gaza in 2023. This action contributed to a strong challenge from a pro-Gaza independent candidate in the 2024 election and has led some activist groups to label her as "anti-Palestinian."