Andy Burnham Apologizes for Labour's 2023 Gaza Response as He Eyes No. 10

3 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Jul 9

Andy Burnham said Labour "got it wrong" in its initial response to Israel's 2023 Gaza offensive, apologizing for the "huge hurt" caused and saying the UK was too slow to call for a ceasefire.
Late October 2023 had already put Burnham among senior Labour figures urging a ceasefire, while Keir Starmer backed only humanitarian pauses and faced backlash over remarks on Israel's right to cut power and water.
Burnham, expected to become prime minister later this month, said Labour had since recognized a Palestinian state, sanctioned Israeli ministers and settlers, and restricted some arms licences to Israel.
He argued more action is needed, accusing Benjamin Netanyahu's government of breaching a US-brokered ceasefire and undermining a two-state solution, including through settler violence in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
Labour MPs including Wes Streeting and Rupa Huq welcomed the apology, which lands as Gaza policy remains a live test of Burnham's leadership before he takes office.