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Andy Burnham Apologises for Labour’s Early Gaza Response and Condemns October 7 Attacks
The Labour politician expected to become UK prime minister by the end of July issued a video apology on July 9 for his party's early response to the war in Gaza. Burnham also called for stronger pressure on Israel while reiterating condemnation of the October 2023 Hamas attacks.
Jul 10, 9:38 AM·2m read3 sources
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Andy Burnham, the Labour MP widely expected to become prime minister by the end of July, apologised on July 9 for his party's initial response to Israel's military action in Gaza. In a video posted on social media as part of a question-and-answer series, Burnham said many people felt the party "didn't get it right" at the start of the conflict and that he was sorry.
He added that the UK was too slow to call for a ceasefire and that the response had too often not been good enough.
Burnham stated that innocent Palestinians, including children, continue to be killed, that too little aid is reaching Gaza, and that the Israeli military continues to expand the area it controls. He said the UK must do more to put pressure on the Israeli government and accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government of attempting to make a two-state solution impossible.
Al Jazeera reported that Burnham won a by-election in the Makerfield constituency and re-entered parliament in June 2026 after Prime Minister Keir Starmer resigned following poor May election results.
Burnham is the only candidate in the leadership race and is expected to take office by the end of the month. He reiterated his condemnation of the Hamas-led attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, in which more than 1,100 people were killed, and condemned the increase in antisemitic attacks in the UK.
Burnham said he would work with international partners to keep the prospect of a two-state solution alive.
Al Jazeera reported that more than 73,000 people have been killed in Israeli attacks in Gaza since October 2023, including more than 1,000 since a supposed ceasefire took effect. The UK government under Starmer proscribed Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation in July 2025 and made more than 3,000 arrests linked to support for the group.
The Starmer government announced a partial suspension of arms exports to Israel in September 2024, suspending 29 licences while nearly 350 remained active.
