Dudley’s political leaders are split on how to respond to a call for Stourbridge’s MP to apologise for a trip to Israel.

Cat Eccles, who became a Labour MP at the 2024 general election, sparked anger from pro-Palestinian campaigners after a visit to the middle east when she was pictured with Israel’s president Isaac Herzog.

The visit was organised by Labour Friends of Israel and Ms Eccles, who says she is not a member of LFI, joined other Labour MPs on the visit to mark 600 days since the October 7 attack by Hamas which prompted the war in Gaza.

The Dudley Palestine Solidarity Group published an open letter calling on the MP, who is also a member of Dudley Council, to apologise for the visit.

The letter said: “We fully appreciate that MPs will liaise with figures from across the political spectrum, but what Cat Eccles did here is beyond the pale.

“Isaac Herzog is the president of a government who stand accused of war crimes. The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for senior Israeli politicians with whom Herzog has worked to conduct the ongoing genocide.”

Cllr Eccles MP said: “The ongoing war in Israel and Palestine is one of the top issues people write to me about. I wanted to be able to see the situation on the ground for myself and gain a greater understanding of the conflict and the challenges with ending it.

“During the trip we met with Israeli ministers, Israeli opposition parties, Palestinian Authority ministers, Palestinian civil society and business leaders, and visited Ramallah in the West Bank. The segregation in the West Bank was very stark and clear to see.”

The PSG group called on the leaders of all Dudley’s political groups on the council to sign their letter condemning the MP but the Dudley Liberal Democrats were the only group to do so.

Cllr Patrick Harley, leader of Dudley Conservatives, said: “I politely declined to sign it, I fully support Israel’s right to defend itself.”

Cllr Adam Aston, Dudley’s Labour leader, told the PSG: “I am saddened by your decision to pursue this course of action, Cat has been one of the most vocal MP’s locally regarding the plight of the people of Gaza both publicly and on social media, she has repeatedly called for a ceasefire and a long term political solution.”

Cllr Pete Lowe, leader of the Black Country Party on the council said: “ I, alongside many in the community, am appalled at the destruction of Gaza and the loss of innocent life.

“I have signed the petition that has been organised by the Dudley Palestinian Support Group. Further I have spoken with Cat to let her know my views. 

“Whilst I feel the trip was ill advised and wrong, I recognise her meeting with the Palestinian Authority and civil society, and the trip, has deepened her understanding of the issues.”

Cllr Eccles added: “I continue to condemn the actions of the Israeli government, call for an immediate ceasefire, and for leaders on both sides to work towards peace.”