Andy Burnham, a prominent candidate for Prime Minister in Britain, called for intensified international efforts to pressure the Israeli government and hold it accountable for what he described as escalating war crimes in the Gaza Strip. Burnham stated in press remarks that on-the-ground evidence clearly indicates grave violations that require international legal action to ensure that those responsible for this suffering do not escape punishment.
The British official considered the scale of destruction and killing witnessed in the Strip to be a 'scar on the collective conscience' of humanity, emphasizing that targeting Palestinian civilians and children is unacceptable under any pretext. He pointed out that determining the nature of these crimes ultimately falls within the jurisdiction of international courts, but stressed the necessity of taking firm political stances to stop the ongoing bloodshed.
Burnham expressed his deep shock at the reports and images coming from Gaza, affirming that he would work with international partners to put an end to this humanitarian tragedy. He clarified that the British position must be clearer in criticizing Israeli practices, with the necessity of obliging the occupation government to adhere to the rules of international humanitarian law without exception.
The British candidate accused Benjamin Netanyahu's government of systematically undermining the two-state solution and making it practically impossible through settlement expansion and continuous aggression. He also accused Israel of violating ceasefire understandings and continuing killing operations targeting innocent people in various areas of the Strip, which complicates the chances of achieving lasting stability.
In the context of punitive measures, Burnham called for serious consideration of imposing additional sanctions on those involved in acts of violence and incitement, affirming his full support for imposing strict restrictions on arms export licenses to Israel. This proposal aims to ensure that British military equipment is not used in military operations targeting civilians in Gaza or the West Bank.
Burnham also called for discussing economic measures aimed at banning the trade of goods produced in illegal settlements established on West Bank lands. He believed that these steps send a strong message to the international community about the necessity of respecting UN resolutions and stopping support for entities that blatantly and systematically violate human rights.
Burnham sharply criticized the stance of Keir Starmer's government, considering that the official British response to the war was not up to the required level and was characterized by extreme slowness. He pointed out that London was very late in demanding an immediate ceasefire, which led to increasing popular and political criticism of the Labour Party's foreign policy.
Burnham offered a clear apology for the way the Labour Party handled the war in its early stages, acknowledging a general feeling of frustration with those positions. He emphasized the need to correct the course and strengthen the British position to be more consistent with humanitarian principles and international calls to stop aggression and protect civilians.
The war on Gaza has caused sharp divisions within the Labour Party since October 2023, as Keir Starmer faced immense pressure due to his initial lenient stance towards Israel. His early refusal to call for a ceasefire led to widespread resignations and protests within the party before he later retreated and adopted a more critical discourse.
On the ground, health data indicates a continued toll of casualties despite talks of calm understandings, with more than a thousand Palestinians martyred in the latest wave of raids. Medical sources confirm that injuries have exceeded three thousand since July, reflecting the continuation of the Israeli military approach in targeting populated areas.
Overall statistics since the start of the war of extermination on October 7 indicate that more than 73,000 martyrs and over 173,000 injured in an unprecedented toll. The aggression also caused the destruction of about 90% of the infrastructure and vital facilities in the Gaza Strip, bringing the daily lives of residents close to the brink of total collapse.
The suffering in Gaza represents a scar on the collective conscience, and the continued killing of innocent Palestinians, including children, is unacceptable.
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British PM candidate calls for accountability for Israel and criticizes Starmer's stance on Gaza