An urgent priority for the new prime minister should be ending UK complicity with Israel’s war crimes and systematic apartheid. So far, there is little evidence of this happening.
Gaza was one of the central issues that brought down Keir Starmer’s premiership. Even before the July 2024 general election, Labour’s pitiful record in opposition prompted a backlash against the party. This led to several independent MPs being elected and erosion of the Labour vote nationally. Once in Downing Street, Starmer’s reputation became more and more damaged as a result of the Labour government’s failures to stand up to Israel.
The good news is that pressure is building on Burnham. The Guardian reports that he will ‘face pressure at Labour conference to recognise Israel’s actions as genocide’, with calls for a full arms embargo on Israel.
A number of campaigning organisations are circulating a model motion, ahead of Labour Conference in late September, demanding that Labour accepts the UN commission of inquiry’s findings that Israel has committed genocide. The motion also urges the introduction of sanctions, including a full arms embargo.
Burnham, within days of becoming PM, sought to distance himself from Starmer’s toxic record on Gaza by saying that mistakes had been made in the months following 7 October 2023. At the same time, he refused to refer to Israel’s actions as genocide. Even some right-wing Labour MPs have reportedly advised that the government should label Israel’s genocide for what it is.
There has not yet been any meaningful action, targeting Israel, to follow up Burnham’s mild words of regret. Israel’s extreme actions on the ground are also contributing to pressure on Burnham. In the occupied West Bank, Israel’s plans for further settlement building, accompanied by genocidal rhetoric from senior government figures, are emboldening violent settlers to attack Palestinians.
The sharp rise in attacks by settlers is a vital part of the background to last week’s letter from over 100 British and French former diplomats. It called on Burnham and French leader Emmanuel Macron to take tougher action against Israel.
The Palestine Coalition is organising a demonstration at Labour Conference in Liverpool on 26 September. Two weeks later, there will be a national demonstration in central London. This will mark three years since the launch of Israel’s genocide in Gaza and be part of an international day of action. Both demonstrations are a priority for everyone who wants our government to break decisively from Israel’s apartheid regime.
Source: Counterfire