UK: Amnesty response to Burnham's Gaza admission – recognition ‘a vital first step’, but action must follow

Andy Burnham has said Labour "didn't get it right" in its initial response to Israel's military action in Gaza, and signalled a shift in the UK's approach including further sanctions and a possible ban on trade in settlement goods.

Responding, Karla McLaren, Amnesty International UK's Government and Political Relations Manager, said:

“Andy Burnham is right to recognise that the UK government's response to Israel's violations of international law has not been strong enough. This recognition is needed, and any action he takes on it should he become Prime Minister would be a vital first step to toward meaningful accountability.

“Amnesty International has documented that Israel's actions in Gaza amount to genocide and that Israel is committing the crime against humanity of apartheid against Palestinians, both in Gaza and the wider Occupied Palestinian Territory.

“These violations require urgent responses from the UK government, so we agree the UK should, at a minimum, end trade in settlement goods without delay and impose further sanctions on the Israeli officials most implicated in abuses.

“Mr Burnham’s words point in the right direction, now we need to see this translated into action."