Labour and Starmer in particular are in a difficult position. The party was so stained by Corbyn and antisemitism they’re now terrified of doing anything that could be viewed that way including, it seems, calling for a ceasefire. The debate around this is so toxic that even asking people to stop killing each other is somehow showing hatred for Jewish people these days. The Israel/Palestine situation is a festering sore for Labour and has been for decades.
In terms of sacking front benchers if they don’t vote along party lines, that’s what they’d have to do when in government, collective responsibility demands that you either back the official party position and if you can’t or don’t, you either resign or get sacked.
Nome of that should be interpreted as me saying Labour shouldn’t be calling for a ceasefire. They should. Everyone should. I don’t understand why asking people to stop killing each other is somehow controversial.