On Thursday, Andy Burnham, the anticipated Labour Party leader, publicly apologised for the party's initial response to Israel's military actions in Gaza, stating that they "didn't get it right". This admission comes as the conflict escalated following the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in significant casualties.
Labour's Initial Response to Gaza Conflict
Burnham's apology highlights the criticism directed at Labour's leadership, particularly towards Sir Keir Starmer, who initially supported humanitarian pauses in the conflict but refrained from calling for a ceasefire. "Labour's initial response to the treatment of Gaza caused huge hurt. We got it wrong and I am sorry for that," Burnham stated in a video message. He acknowledged that the UK's response was too slow and emphasized the need for improvement under his leadership.
In the early days of the conflict, Sir Keir was criticized for his stance on Israel's actions, including comments made during an interview with LBC on October 11, where he asserted, "I think that Israel does have that right" regarding the cutting off of essential supplies to Gaza. This position aligned with the previous Conservative government's approach, which also faced scrutiny.
Calls for Ceasefire and Humanitarian Aid
As the conflict continued, Burnham and other Labour figures began advocating for a ceasefire by late October 2023. Burnham's recent statements included a call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire for the first time since the outbreak of hostilities. He praised Labour's past initiatives, such as recognising a Palestinian state and imposing sanctions on Israeli officials, but insisted that more must be done to ensure adherence to international law.
