The Labour party has faced intense scrutiny for its handling of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with several prominent figures, including Andy Burnham, widely anticipated to become Prime Minister later this month, publicly acknowledging that their initial response was misguided. In a stark departure from his party's earlier stance, Burnham has issued an apology for Labour's slowness in calling for a ceasefire during the early stages of the conflict, stating that their actions caused 'huge hurt' and vowing to take a more robust approach under his leadership.
While Burnham was among several Labour figures who advocated for a ceasefire by late October 2023, he diverged from Sir Keir Starmer's position at the time. The current Labour leader had supported humanitarian pauses but refused to call for a full ceasefire, aligning with the then Conservative government's stance. It wasn't until February 2024 that Labour officially shifted its position to demand an immediate humanitarian ceasefire.
In a social media post and accompanying video message, Burnham reiterated his condemnation of the 7 October Hamas attack and of antisemitic incidents within the UK, while also criticising the Israeli government for violating a US-brokered ceasefire agreement. He highlighted a reported increase in settler violence in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, stating that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government appeared to be making a two-state solution impossible.
Burnham called for stronger measures, including further sanctions on Israeli ministers and settlers, restrictions on arms licences to Israel, and the banning of trade in goods originating from illegal settlements in the West Bank. He argued this was necessary to ensure Israel adheres to international law and preserve the prospect of a two-state solution.
The Foreign Office continues to advise against all travel to Gaza and specific areas of Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories due to the ongoing conflict, posing significant safety concerns for British nationals in the region. The UK government's position on the conflict has been a subject of considerable public and political debate, reflecting the deep divisions and concerns across the country.
Burnham's apology has garnered support from some Labour MPs, including Wes Streeting and Rupa Huq, who see it as an attempt to unify different factions within the party and address concerns from a significant portion of the electorate regarding the Labour Party's initial response to the crisis.
Source: Andy Burnham on social media