Andy Burnham apologises for Labour’s stance on Gaza – podcast
Andy Burnham has apologised for Labour’s slow response in calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. In an exclusive interview with Pippa Crerar, he says that more pressure should be put on
By The Guardian
Andy Burnham, the anticipated new leader of the Labour Party, has issued a public apology for the party’s delayed call for a ceasefire in Gaza, marking a significant shift from the stance taken under former Prime Minister Keir Starmer. In an exclusive interview with journalist Pippa Crerar on the Politics Weekly podcast, Burnham acknowledged that Labour should have exerted greater pressure on the Israeli government sooner, including advocating for a ban on trade in goods linked to illegal settlements.
He stated there is mounting evidence that war crimes have been committed during the conflict, though he emphasised that such determinations must be made by international courts rather than by politicians. The interview also covered the political fallout from Nigel Farage’s unexpected resignation as leader of Reform UK on Tuesday, with Crerar and co-host Kiran Douglas discussing the implications for the party and the broader UK political landscape.
Burnham’s apology comes at a time of intense scrutiny over Labour’s previous Gaza policy, which included support for Israel’s military campaign and the provision of RAF surveillance data to Israel, data that has been widely alleged to have been used in operations contributing to the high number of civilian deaths in Gaza. Critics, including voices from Byline Times and the Green Party, have urged Burnham to unequivocally apologise for the “moral bankruptcy” of the last two and a half years, to acknowledge the genocide in Gaza, and to join South Africa’s case against Israel at the International Court of Justice.
They have also called for the cancellation of the UK-Israel Military Co-operation Agreement, an end to all weapons supplies to and from Israel, and the lifting of the “terrorist” designation on Palestine Action. Burnham’s comments align with a recent UN report by the Independent International Commission of Inquiry, which found reasonable grounds to conclude that Israeli authorities were committing genocidal acts against Palestinians in Gaza, and which documented that at least 20,179 Palestinian children were killed in the first two years of the war, accounting for nearly 30 percent of all Palestinian deaths.
The report also noted more than 44,000 children injured and an estimated 58,000 orphaned. While a ceasefire was agreed a month after the report’s release, killings have continued, and Hamas has recently dissolved its government in Gaza, a move experts say is intended to pressure Israel as progress on the US-brokered ceasefire deal stalls.
Burnham’s position is being watched closely by journalists and political commentators, including Melanie Phillips, who has warned that if Burnham becomes the UK’s next prime minister, his opposition to Israel could grow significantly. The podcast also featured discussion on Jess Phillips’ insider insights into Labour’s current mood as the party prepares for a new leader, with Phillips suggesting that if Labour has any chance of remaining in power after the next election, it must address the concerns raised by Burnham’s stance.
Burnham’s interview is part of a broader conversation in the UK about the country’s complicity in the conflict, with calls from various groups for Britain to end its support for Israel’s military actions and to commit to full justice for the Palestinian people, whose interests were historically disregarded by the British government through the Balfour Declaration in 1917. The full exclusive interview with Burnham can be read on The Guardian’s website, alongside Anna Isaac’s investigation into Nigel Farage and Reform UK, and Josh Halliday’s article on Reform activists.
Readers are encouraged to send their comments and questions to Pippa Crerar and Kiran Douglas at politicsweeklyuk@theguardian.com, and to follow and subscribe to the Politics Weekly YouTube channel for further updates on these developing political stories. Burnham’s apology represents a potential turning point for Labour, offering a chance to recalibrate the party’s approach to the Middle East and to address the deep concerns raised by the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, which has seen unprecedented levels of child casualties and displacement.
As the UK prepares for a new prime minister and a new Labour leader, Burnham’s words will likely shape the party’s future policy direction and its relationship with Israel, while also influencing the broader debate on Britain’s role in international conflicts and its commitment to human rights and justice. The podcast episode, available on The Guardian’s Politics Weekly channel, provides a detailed account of Burnham’s views and the political context surrounding his apology, offering listeners a comprehensive understanding of the issues at hand and the potential implications for UK politics in the coming months.
With Farage’s resignation adding another layer of complexity to the political landscape, the discussion on Burnham’s stance and its fallout underscores the dynamic and rapidly evolving nature of current UK political discourse, where issues of war, justice, and leadership are increasingly central to public debate and policy formation. Burnham’s call for greater pressure on Israel, including trade bans, and his acknowledgment of war crimes, signal a departure from previous Labour policies and a willingness to engage more critically with the realities of the conflict, potentially reshaping the party’s image and its approach to international relations.
As the UK moves forward with a new leadership structure, Burnham’s apology and his outlined policy shifts will be key factors in determining Labour’s future direction and its ability to address the concerns of voters who have been deeply affected by the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the broader implications of the conflict for global peace and security. The podcast episode serves as an important resource for understanding these developments, providing a clear and detailed account of Burnham’s views and the political context surrounding his apology, and offering listeners a comprehensive understanding of the issues at hand and the potential implications for UK politics in the coming months.
With the conflict continuing and the humanitarian situation in Gaza remaining dire, Burnham’s words and the discussions surrounding them will likely play a significant role in shaping the UK’s response to the crisis and its commitment to justice and human rights for the Palestinian people. The full interview and related articles are available on The Guardian’s website, where readers can access detailed coverage of Burnham’s apology, Farage’s resignation, and the broader political implications of these events, providing a comprehensive resource for understanding the current state of UK politics and the evolving dynamics of the Middle East conflict.
As the UK prepares for a new prime minister and a new Labour leader, Burnham’s apology and his outlined policy shifts will be key factors in determining Labour’s future direction and its ability to address the concerns of voters who have been deeply affected by the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the broader implications of the conflict for global peace and security. The podcast episode serves as an important resource for understanding these developments, providing a clear and detailed account of Burnham’s views and the political context surrounding his apology, and offering listeners a comprehensive understanding of the issues at hand and the potential implications for UK politics in the coming months.
With the conflict continuing and the humanitarian situation in Gaza remaining dire, Burnham’s words and the discussions surrounding them will likely play a significant role in shaping the UK’s response to the crisis and its commitment to justice and human rights for the Palestinian people. The full interview and related articles are available on The Guardian’s website, where readers can access detailed coverage of Burnham’s apology, Farage’s resignation, and the broader political implications of these events, providing a comprehensive resource for understanding the current state of UK politics and the evolving dynamics of the Middle East conflict.