LONDON, July 9 - Andy Burnham, the politician expected to take office as Britain’s prime minister later this month, said he intends to step up pressure on the Israeli government over its actions in Gaza, the Guardian reported on Thursday.
In an interview with the newspaper, Burnham criticised the initial handling of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza in October 2023, which followed an attack on Israel by Hamas-led gunmen. Reflecting on the UK response, he said: "We’ve got to do more to put pressure on the Israeli government ... Yes, we have taken some important steps ... But let’s be honest, the UK was too slow to call for a ceasefire. And we must now do more to strengthen our approach."
Burnham contrasted his position with the stance of the current prime minister, Keir Starmer, at the time of the October fighting. Starmer initially resisted calls from within his party - including from Burnham, who was then a regional mayor - to demand an immediate ceasefire, instead favouring a humanitarian pause. The current prime minister later called for a ceasefire and has since been publicly critical of the Israeli government’s conduct in Gaza.
The government has taken concrete steps since then, including imposing sanctions on far-right Israeli cabinet ministers and formally recognising a Palestinian state, according to the account in the interview. While a ceasefire last year brought a two-year war to an end, Israel’s military has continued to carry out strikes in Gaza in the context of a wider regional conflict involving Iran and Hezbollah in Lebanon, citing threats or fire from Hamas.
Outlining actions he believes should now be considered, Burnham said: "We need to do more, which includes looking at further sanctions, both on those involved in the violence in Gaza but also looking at measures to ban trade in goods with illegal settlements."
Context and next steps
Burnham’s remarks, made in an interview published by the Guardian, set out his intent to press for a tougher UK approach toward Israel on Gaza if he assumes the premiership later this month. He framed this as a continuation and intensification of measures already taken by the current government, while pointing to perceived shortcomings in the speed of the initial UK response to the October 2023 campaign.
The interview reiterates ongoing tensions in the region and signals potential policy actions under a change of British leadership, including additional sanctions and restrictions on trade linked to settlements in Gaza.