Andy Burnham has issued an apology for Labour’s response to Israel’s war in Gaza, acknowledging that the party “didn’t get it right” and pledging to “do better” under his leadership. In a video posted on X, the prime minister-in-waiting described the “unbearable suffering” in Gaza as a “scar on our collective conscience” and deemed it “unacceptable” that Palestinians were being killed.
Burnham Stops Short of Calling Gaza Actions Genocide
Despite his strong remarks, Burnham refrained from labelling Israel’s military action as genocide. He stated that while there was “increasing evidence” of war crimes, it was for international courts to make that determination, not politicians. This is believed to be Burnham’s first direct intervention on Gaza since Israel launched its ground invasion following the Hamas-led terrorist attack on October 7, 2023, which killed nearly 1,200 people and saw 250 taken hostage.
The death toll in Gaza has surpassed 69,000, including over 17,000 children, according to reports. Burnham emphasised that the UK must apply more pressure on the Israeli government to address the humanitarian crisis.
Labour's Past Stance Under Fire
Burnham’s apology comes after Keir Starmer faced backlash for comments made on LBC radio in 2023, where he appeared to support Israel’s right to cut off water and energy to Gaza. Starmer later clarified that he meant Israel had the right to self-defence. Burnham acknowledged that Labour’s response had “too often not been good enough.”
He praised the Labour government’s 2025 recognition of a Palestinian state, sanctions on Israeli ministers and “violent settlers,” and the suspension of arms licences to Israel last year to ensure “no British bombs or bullets can be used by the IDF in Gaza or the West Bank.”
Criticism of Netanyahu and Ceasefire Delays
Burnham accused Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of “clearly attempting to make a two-state solution impossible.” He criticised the UK for being “too slow” to call for a ceasefire and claimed Israel was violating the ceasefire and “killing innocent Palestinians.” He also condemned the “surge in settler violence” and displacement of Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem.
He called for further sanctions on individuals and a potential ban on trade in goods with illegal settlements.
Condemnation of Antisemitism and October 7 Attack
Burnham reiterated his condemnation of the October 7 attack as “monstrous” and expressed concern over the rise in antisemitism in the UK. He called for it to be stamped out, stating: “I also condemned the increase in appalling antisemitic attacks here in the UK and those who seek to divide our communities by targeting Jewish people.”
He highlighted the terrorist attack at Heaton Park Synagogue in Manchester in October 2025, where Jihad Al-Shamie targeted worshippers during Yom Kippur. Two worshippers, Adrian Daulby and Melvin Cravitz, died, and three others were hospitalised. Burnham said he had felt the effects of antisemitism “first hand” in Manchester.
Balancing Criticism and Zero Tolerance
Burnham insisted there is “no contradiction between a zero tolerance approach to antisemitism and holding the Netanyahu government to account.” He vowed to work with international partners to stop the suffering and ensure Israel adheres to international law, stating: “This is the only way to lasting peace for both Israelis and Palestinians.”
