Burnham's Gaza Gambit: A Reckoning for UK Foreign Policy
As Andy Burnham steps into the United Kingdom's premiership, an immediate and pronounced shift in the nation's foreign policy regarding the Gaza conflict appears imminent. The former Manchester Mayor, having re-entered parliament in June via the Makerfield by-election, is widely anticipated to assume the prime minister role by the end of this month following Keir Starmer's resignation over dismal May election results and sinking popularity.
Burnham wasted no time in signaling a departure from the previous Labour stance, issuing a public apology for his party's handling of Israel's war on Gaza. In a video message posted on Thursday, he admitted the party “didn’t get it right” and “needs to do better” once he is leader. This contrition comes amidst what he termed the “unbearable suffering” in Gaza, which he described as a “scar on our collective conscience,” following two years of relentless bombardment by Israeli forces. The death toll from Israeli attacks since October 2023 has surpassed 73,000 people, with over 1,000 killed even after a supposed “ceasefire” took effect.
The apology marks a distinct break from the Starmer era, under whom the UK government demonstrated strong support for Israel, notably by proscribing Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation last year and failing to ban all weapons sales to Israel. Burnham, while reiterating his condemnation of the Hamas-led attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, which killed over 1,100 people, and decrying the rise in anti-Semitic attacks in the UK, also sharply criticized Israel's actions. He highlighted the Israeli government's repeated violations of the ceasefire agreement, the escalating violence by Israeli settlers in the West Bank, and the expansion of illegal settlements, directly implicating Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government in attempting to make a two-state solution impossible.
This pre-emptive apology from an incoming Prime Minister is not mere rhetoric; it's a strategic move that carries significant political and economic implications. It signals a readiness to pivot the UK's diplomatic and possibly military-industrial alignment, moving from a position that was “too slow to call for [a] ceasefire” to one committed to increasing pressure on Israel. The economic impact could manifest in re-evaluations of arms sales, trade agreements, and diplomatic postures, reflecting a more critical stance that acknowledges the humanitarian crisis and the “too little aid getting in” to Gaza.
Burnham’s candid admission that his party “didn’t get it right” on Gaza speaks to a deeper political calculation, likely acknowledging the widespread public discontent and internal party divisions over the conflict. By directly addressing the “innocent Palestinians, including children, continue to be killed” narrative, and the Israeli military's continued expansion of control in Gaza, he is setting a new moral compass for his administration. This move could reposition the UK on the global stage, aligning it more closely with nations advocating for stronger international intervention and accountability, rather than the previous stance of unequivocal support.
The incoming administration faces a complex domestic and international landscape. Navigating the internal rifts exacerbated by the conflict, including the “appalling anti-Semitic attacks here in the UK” and efforts to “divide our communities by targeting Jewish people,” will be critical. Internationally, the UK’s shift could influence wider European and global responses, especially if it leads to tangible policy changes regarding arms exports or diplomatic pressure. The immediate challenge for Burnham will be to translate his strong remarks into concrete actions that not only address the “unbearable suffering” in Gaza but also redefine the UK's role and credibility in a deeply fractured global geopolitical arena.