As the devastating conflict in Gaza continues to claim lives and destroy communities, Andy Burnham has delivered a scathing indictment of Labour's initial response – a response he now concedes was woefully inadequate. In a stark departure from his party's earlier stance, Mr Burnham has apologised for Labour's faltering approach, vowing that under his leadership, the UK would take a more robust and principled stand against Israel's military actions.
Speaking candidly to The Guardian, Mr Burnham made it clear that he believes further pressure needs to be exerted on the Israeli government. This could involve not just ramping up sanctions on individuals and entities, but also potentially banning trade in goods originating from illegal settlements. He acknowledged that while some steps have been taken by the current UK government – such as formal recognition of Palestine and sanctions on certain Israeli ministers and settlers – these efforts are merely a "starting point". Mr Burnham stressed that it is imperative for the UK to do more, to strengthen its approach and bring an end to the suffering in Gaza.
Mr Burnham's remarks also sought to address long-standing concerns among Labour's progressive voters, who have been vocal about their discontent with the party's position on Israel and Palestine. A recent Opinium poll for the Palestinian Solidarity Campaign highlighted that two-thirds of former Labour voters had switched to the Green Party, citing the party's stance on Gaza as a key factor in their decision.
While Mr Burnham has shifted his position significantly, he also took care to reassure Jewish communities that his concerns about rising antisemitism in the UK remain. He condemned the 7 October Hamas attacks and reiterated his condemnation of any violence targeting civilians – both Palestinian and Israeli. His nuanced stance on potential war crimes and genocide underscores the complexities involved, rather than oversimplifying the issue.
The apology comes as a tacit acknowledgement that earlier statements made by Labour leader Keir Starmer were ill-judged. Mr Starmer faced intense backlash following an LBC radio interview in October 2023, where he suggested Israel had the right to withhold basic necessities from Gaza. His subsequent delay in clarifying these remarks further eroded trust among Muslim and progressive voters within the party.
Mr Burnham has effectively highlighted that Labour's early missteps have left a lasting impact on its ability to engage meaningfully with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He has made it clear that under his leadership, Labour would adopt a more proactive stance towards Israel's actions – one that prioritises justice and accountability.
Source: The Guardian