Burnham declines call to label Gaza a ‘genocide’
Greater Manchester mayor says pro-Corbyn figures such as Faiza Shaheen and Jamie Driscoll should never have been kicked out of Labour
Labour mayor and by-election candidate Andy Burnham has declined to describe the impact of Israel’s war in Gaza as “genocide.”
In an interview with the Guardian newspaper, Burnham admitted: “I do have concerns about the disproportionate nature of what has happened in terms of the destruction.” He added, “I can’t judge things of that enormity from where I am as mayor of Greater Manchester.”
Burnham, who has confirmed on BBC Question Time that he would enter any Labour leadership contest should he win the Makerfield by-election on 18 June, has faced repeated pressure from left-wing supporters to take a tougher stance on Israel than the current Prime Minister. However, his refusal to label the situation in Gaza as “genocide” is likely to disappoint some on the left and suggests a position similar to that of Keir Starmer.
Burnham had previously been a strong supporter of Labour Friends of Israel and during the 2015 leadership campaign he pledged that, if successful, his first state visit as Prime Minister would be to Israel.
He also famously opposed the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, calling it “spiteful,” and praised Israel’s record on civil liberties and trade union rights.
Burnham also publicly referred to the Balfour Declaration as representing “British values in action”.
But after Israel responded to the 2023 October 7 Hamas attacks Burnham, along with other northern leaders, signed a letter calling for a ceasefire in Gaza following the outbreak of conflict in defiance of Keir Starmer’s position, which had remained supportive of Israel’s right to defend itself at the time.
Burnham called for ceasefire at the same time as Sadiq Khan, but did not face the same level of criticism from the community as the London mayor.
Facing pressure from pro-Palestinian activists and Labour’s left wing, Burnham’s position on the Middle East has come under increased scrutiny.
He signed subsequent letters calling for the recognition of Palestinian statehood and condemning unlawful occupation of the West Bank and Gaza
In the same Guardian interview, Burnham was critical of Labour’s decision to prevent candidates such as Faiza Shaheen and Jamie Driscoll from standing for the party in recent elections.
The article says”Burnham said some leftwingers such as Faiza Shaheen and Jamie Driscoll should never have been kicked out of Labour,” although he confirmed he would not welcome Jeremy Corbyn back into the party.
Shaheen, nicknamed the “Chingford Corbynista,” ran a divisive campaign in the north-east London seat, portraying herself as a pro-Gaza candidate. Following concerns raised by the Jewish Labour Movement, Labour’s national executive committee declined to endorse her, citing her support for the Green Party on social media.
As a result, Shaheen stood as an independent.
Jamie Driscoll, former mayor of the North of Tyne, was also barred from running as Labour’s candidate for the North East mayoralty after he refused to condemn controversial remarks made by director Ken Loach about Jews, Israel, and the Holocaust.
Both Shaheen and Driscoll ultimately failed to win their respective elections as independents.
The Greater Manchester mayor made clear his ambitions to replace Starmer as he appeared alongside four other candidates during a BBC Question Time special in the constituency.
Reform UK candidate Robert Kenyon said there was a need for a “big move away from career politicians” and warned against using Makerfield as a “stepping stone”.
Starmer has defied calls from some Labour MPs to step down after poor election results last month.
No formal challenge has been launched against him, but both Burnham and former health secretary Wes Streeting have made it their ambitions to become PM clear.
On the BBC show Burnham said:”I think Wes Streeting seems to have launched a leadership contest, so if that is running I would seek to join it, but I’d have to persuade members of the Parliamentary Labour Party to do the same.”
But any challenger wanting to trigger a leadership contest must be an MP and have the backing of 81 Labour MPs.
But a No 10 spokesperson said: “The prime minister will not walk away from the mandate he was given just two years ago to build a stronger, fairer Britain.”
The Makerfield by-election was called after then-Labour MP Josh Simons stepped down, a move he said was to allow Burnham to run for Parliament and potentially mount a leadership bid.
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