Andy Burnham has apologised for Labour's initial response to Israel's military action in Gaza, stating the party 'didn't get it right' and needs to 'do better' under his leadership. The prime minister-in-waiting told the Guardian he would increase pressure on the Israeli government, including further sanctions and a potential ban on trade with illegal settlements.
Burnham acknowledged that the UK was 'too slow to call for a ceasefire' and said the government must strengthen its approach. However, he stopped short of describing events in Gaza as genocide, saying it was for international courts to determine. The Green party deputy leader Mothin Ali accused Burnham of hiding behind legal technicalities to avoid halting arms sales.
The apology may irritate Labour leader Keir Starmer, whose comments on LBC in October 2023 upset many. Burnham reassured Jewish communities of his commitment to tackling antisemitism while holding the Netanyahu government to account. He described the suffering in Gaza as 'a scar on our collective conscience'.
Two-thirds of Labour voters who switched to the Greens cited Gaza as a factor, according to an Opinium poll. Burnham faces pressure from the left to ban all arms shipments to Israel, including spare parts for F-35 jets.
