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Andy Burnham has issued an apology for Labour’s early reaction to Israel’s military operations in Gaza, acknowledging that the party “didn’t get it right” and promising improvements under his leadership. As the anticipated next prime minister, Burnham had previously voiced support for a ceasefire in Gaza by late October 2023, a position that diverged from that of Sir Keir Starmer at the time.
In a social media statement, Burnham expressed regret for Labour’s initial stance, saying, “Labour’s initial response to the treatment of Gaza caused huge hurt. We got it wrong and I am sorry for that.” He also reiterated his condemnation of the Hamas attack on 7 October and addressed the rise of antisemitic incidents in the UK in a video message. This came amid early conflict weeks when Starmer favored humanitarian pauses—short, temporary halts aimed solely at allowing aid delivery—rather than a full ceasefire.
Burnham criticized the UK’s delayed call for a ceasefire, acknowledging that the party needed to improve its approach. He said, “The UK was too slow to call for a ceasefire,” highlighting the need for a stronger and clearer stance. Earlier in October, Starmer faced criticism following an interview on LBC in which he appeared to justify Israel’s right to cut off electricity and water supplies to Gaza, stating, “I think that Israel does have that right.” A Labour spokesperson later clarified that Starmer was emphasizing Israel’s broader right to self-defense under international law. At that time, Starmer’s position was aligned with the then-Conservative government led by Rishi Sunak.
In February 2024, Labour shifted its position by calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza for the first time since the conflict started in October 2023. In his video, Burnham also highlighted past Labour government measures such as recognizing a Palestinian state, imposing sanctions on Israeli officials and settlers, and restricting arms exports to Israel. Despite these steps, he asserted that further action is required to ensure Israel adheres to international law and to keep the two-state solution viable. Burnham accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government of deliberately undermining prospects for peace by violating the ceasefire agreement and enabling increased settler violence in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. He advocated for additional sanctions and trade bans on products from illegal settlements.
Burnham’s stance has received support from within the Labour Party. Wes Streeting, a former health secretary who had been considered a rival candidate before endorsing Burnham, called the apology and renewed approach “extremely welcome.” MP Rupa Huq also welcomed the acknowledgement, signaling a readiness for action. Meanwhile, UN reports have accused the Israeli government of committing war crimes and acts that amount to genocide in Gaza, allegations Israel has consistently denied. The Israeli military’s operations followed a brutal Hamas attack on 7 October 2023, which led to the deaths of approximately 1,200 people in southern Israel and left 251 taken hostage
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