Labour politician Andy Burnham has apologised for his party’s initial response to Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, admitting that Labour got it wrong and calling for tougher measures against those responsible for violence in the territory.
In a video message shared on X on Thursday, Burnham acknowledged the concerns of many Labour supporters who believed the party failed to respond adequately at the start of the conflict.
“Many people feel that at the start of Israel’s military operation in Gaza, my party didn’t get it right and I am sorry about that,” he said. “The response has not been good enough. We needed to be better.”
Burnham said the UK had taken several steps, including recognising the State of Palestine, imposing sanctions on some Israeli far-right ministers and introducing measures against violent settlers in the occupied Palestinian territories.
However, he argued that the government had been too slow to call for a ceasefire and should now adopt a stronger approach.
According to Burnham, further action should include additional sanctions on those involved in the violence in Gaza, as well as measures to ban trade in goods produced in illegal Israeli settlements.
He also expressed concern over continued Israeli military operations in Gaza and the expansion of settlements in occupied Palestinian territory, saying greater international pressure should be applied on the Israeli government.
While noting that there is growing evidence suggesting war crimes may have been committed during the conflict, Burnham said it is ultimately for international legal institutions to determine whether international law has been violated.
At the same time, he stressed that criticism of Israel’s actions should be accompanied by condemnation of Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack on Israel and any acts of antisemitism in the United Kingdom.
Labour, under former Prime Minister Keir Starmer, faced widespread criticism from sections of its support base over its early stance on the Gaza conflict, particularly its reluctance to back an immediate ceasefire. The controversy led some supporters, especially younger voters, to shift their support to the Green Party.
Burnham’s remarks are seen as one of Labour’s clearest acknowledgements that its handling of the early stages of the Gaza crisis fell short of the expectations of many party members and supporters.
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