Labour's likely next leader, Andy Burnham, has acknowledged that the party's initial response to Israel's military action in Gaza was not strong enough and has apologised for any harm caused.
In a video posted on social media, Mr Burnham said that the UK should be 'clear in our criticism of what has happened in Gaza', while also condemning Hamas's attack on October 7 2023 and subsequent acts of antisemitic violence in Britain.
Mr Burnham stated that Labour 'didn't get it right' at the start of Israel's military action in Gaza and said the response 'has too often not been good enough'. He added that the party needs to 'do better' and suggested a government under his leadership would take a stronger approach to the conflict.
Mr Burnham announced plans to strengthen the UK's approach by imposing further sanctions on those involved in the violence in Gaza, as well as looking at measures to ban trade in goods with illegal settlements.
However, he stopped short of accusing Israel of perpetrating a genocide against Palestinians, as some Labour MPs have demanded. Instead, he stated that 'increasing evidence' suggests war crimes may have been committed and that it is ultimately a matter for international courts to determine.
Mr Burnham expressed his 'appalled' reaction to the destruction of Gaza, describing the experience of Palestinians in the territory as 'a scar on our collective conscience'. He also stressed his condemnation of both the October 7 attacks by Hamas and antisemitic violence in Britain, saying that 'we must continue to stamp out antisemitism across the UK'.
Labour's initial response to Israel's military action in Gaza drew widespread criticism from some of the party's supporters, with the issue driving a significant shift of younger voters towards the Green Party.
Amnesty International welcomed Mr Burnham's words, stating that 'these violations require urgent responses from the UK government', and called for the government to end trade in settlement goods without delay and impose further sanctions on Israeli officials implicated in abuses.
Mr Burnham also outlined plans for his premiership, including the establishment of a new No 10 unit in the north to hand local government more control in areas including housing and transport.
He pledged to give all parts of the UK 'greater public control' of the water and energy sectors, but other details remain scant.
