'We must now do more': Andy Burnham apologises for Labour's response to Gaza

What Happened

Andy Burnham, the expected next UK prime minister, apologized for the Labour government's initial response to Israel's military operation in Gaza, stating 'my party didn’t get it right.' He acknowledged the UK was 'too slow to call for a ceasefire' and pledged to 'do more,' including looking at further sanctions on Israeli settlers and banning trade with Israeli settlements. Burnham condemned Hamas's 7 October 2023 attack on southern Israel and antisemitic incidents in the UK but refused to characterize Israel's actions as genocide, saying it was for international courts to decide. He cited 'increasing evidence that war crimes appear to have been committed' and noted the International Criminal Court's November 2024 arrest warrants for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defence minister Yoav Gallant. The statement marks a potential shift in UK policy amid ongoing Israeli ceasefire violations and settler violence in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

Burnham's apology and policy pledges signal a likely hardening of the UK's stance toward Israel, potentially aligning with international legal pressures and pro-Palestinian demands, as he prepares to assume the premiership. This could affect UK-Israel relations, EU coordination on sanctions, and the viability of the two-state solution framework.

Watch For

Burnham is expected to become prime minister next month, following a Labour leadership nomination by MPs. Look for concrete sanctions proposals on settlers and settlement trade, whether the UK will enforce ICC warrants, and how Netanyahu's government responds.