Andy Burnham faces backlash over remarks on Israel and Gaza
Andy Burnham has come under fire from Jewish leaders following his announcement of a potential tougher policy on Israel in support of Gaza, reports BritPanorama.
The prime-minister-in-waiting issued a video on social media on Thursday, apologising for Labour’s previous handling of the violence in Gaza and acknowledging that the government had been tardy in calling for a ceasefire.
In the video, Burnham stated, “I know many people feel that at the start of Israel’s military action in Gaza, my party didn’t get it right – and I am sorry about that. The response has too often not been good enough. We need to do better.”
While his comments were welcomed by many within the Labour party, they raised alarms among the Board of Deputies of British Jews and the Jewish Leadership Council, who expressed significant concerns over his remarks.
In a joint statement, the groups indicated, “We have been in touch with Andy Burnham’s team to convey directly our significant concerns in relation to his remarks yesterday.”
They added, “We welcome his zero tolerance approach to anti-Semitism, affirm his assertion that there is no contradiction between fighting anti-Semitism and disagreeing with actions of the Israeli government, and share concern for the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.”
Nonetheless, they emphasized that, “anti-Semitism cannot be confronted without addressing all its drivers. In today’s Britain, this includes Islamist, far-Left and far-Right extremists who go beyond criticism of the Israeli government to a place of hatred directed at Jews and Israelis.”
In his video, Burnham reiterated his admittance that Labour’s initial response to the conflict was inadequate. His intervention marks a noticeable shift from the stance of the Starmer government, which maintained that Israel “has a right to defend itself.”
This shift implies that under Burnham’s leadership, arms sales to Israel could potentially be banned, with Foreign Office ministers reportedly exploring ways to restrict goods and services from settlements without adversely affecting legitimate trade with Israel.
Burnham also reiterated his commitment to combatting antisemitism within the party, condemning the 7 October attacks on Israel as well as terrorist acts against Jewish communities in Golders Green and Heaton Park.
However, the Board of Deputies and the Jewish Leadership Council cautioned that critics often use “distorted or one-sided portrayals of the situation in Gaza” to “single out the world’s only Jewish state.”
They further stated, “The awful situation in the Gaza Strip and the suffering of innocent Palestinians cannot be understood without reference to the role of Hamas not only in launching the conflict but in perpetuating the war through the holding of hostages, war-fighting entirely from within the civilian population, and ongoing refusal to cede power and disarm, in line with the 20-point peace plan.”
Burnham, expected to assume the role of prime minister on 20 July, acknowledged that the party needs to “do better” under his leadership. He indicated his intention to apply more pressure on the Israeli government through sanctions targeting both individuals and entities in a bid to win back voters disillusioned with Labour’s stance on Gaza.
“We’ve got to do more to put pressure on the Israeli government… Yes, we have taken some important steps… But let’s be honest, the UK was too slow to call for a ceasefire. And we must now do more to strengthen our approach,” Burnham stated.
This development coincides with the opening of nominations on Thursday to replace Sir Keir Starmer as the Labour Party leader, with Burnham currently the only candidate to declare his intention to run.
Following his nomination, several Labour MPs showed their support by posting their nomination forms for Burnham on X, a sign of solidarity. He requires just one more MP to nominate him to render it mathematically impossible for any other candidates to contest against him. Home Office minister Mike Tapp has also signalled his endorsement, stating he would back Burnham when the Commons reconvenes on Monday.
