UK Prime Minister: We were late in addressing Gaza's suffering and I will change the government's approach
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham admitted that his country was late in addressing the suffering in Gaza, describing it as "a wound on the world's conscience," and pledged to change his government's approach to the Israeli war and settlement expansion. He defended the decision to ban trade with settlements and announced a new humanitarian aid package for the Strip.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham admitted that his country was late in addressing what is happening in the Gaza Strip, describing the suffering of Palestinians as "a wound on the world's conscience," and pledged to change his government's approach to the Israeli war on the Strip and settlement expansion in the occupied Palestinian territories. This came in a post on the "X" platform on Tuesday evening, where he said the world has become more dangerous, and that Britain has lost some of its confidence in leadership. Burnham defended his country's decision to ban trade with Israeli settlements, explaining that the decision targets "the unacceptable policies of the Israeli government," and does not target the Israeli people. He criticized settlement expansion, noting that Israel has approved 104 new settlements since December 2022, and warned of the E1 settlement project which eliminates the chances of a contiguous Palestinian state. Concurrently, Britain announced a new humanitarian aid package for Gaza. Burnham affirmed that the events of October 7, 2023 do not justify Israel's actions in Gaza and the West Bank. The statements came after 12 countries announced a ban on trade with settlements. The statements place Burnham's government before a practical test of translating criticisms into more pressure policies.