Burnham Backs Israel Sanctions After Oct. 7 Apology as UK Jewish Groups Raise Concerns
Updated
Updated · The Jerusalem Post · Jul 10
Burnham Backs Israel Sanctions After Oct. 7 Apology as UK Jewish Groups Raise Concerns
3 articles · Updated · The Jerusalem Post · Jul 10
Summary
Andy Burnham said Labour was “too slow” to call for a ceasefire after Oct. 7 and urged tougher pressure on Israel, including sanctions, a ban on trade with settlements and tighter arms-license restrictions.
In a Thursday video statement, the frontrunner to replace Keir Starmer said there was increasing evidence war crimes “appear to have been committed” and that Britain must do more as Palestinians are killed in Gaza.
The Board of Deputies and Jewish Leadership Council said they had contacted Burnham’s team with “significant concerns,” arguing his remarks omitted Hamas’s role, the hostages and backing from Iran and Hezbollah.
Those groups still welcomed Burnham’s “zero tolerance” stance on antisemitism, which he linked to the 2025 Heaton Park synagogue attack that killed 2 people in Greater Manchester.
Burnham’s intervention comes a week before Labour’s July 17 leadership deadline, with no challenger yet emerging as lawmakers across parties push for sharper criticism of Israel.