Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham is reportedly seeking to align himself with a more interventionist foreign policy, particularly concerning sanctions against Israeli settlements in the West Bank. This move could position him as taking a stronger stance than current Labour leadership under Keir Starmer.
Within the Labour movement and on the broader British left, there has been long-standing pressure for such action. Approximately 140 Labour MPs publicly called for this at the beginning of the summer. Burnham himself was critical of the party's initial response to the situation in Gaza, stating in July that Labour had "got it wrong and I am sorry about that."
The push for a stronger stance on the West Bank settlements is also seen as a strategic move for the Labour Party, which has experienced a significant decline in support within communities that have a large Muslim population. For a leader aiming to unify various factions under the Labour banner, this diplomatic engagement is considered a sensible approach.
However, this evolving position faces challenges, as highlighted by Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch. Badenoch expressed concern that "relentless demonisation of the world's only Jewish state risks fanning the flames of antisemitism here at home." Similarly, Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis described the situation as "truly a dark day for Britain's Jews."
Burnham, who was the local figurehead during an attack at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Manchester last October, must navigate these sensitivities. Ed Miliband has attempted to address concerns about perceived "demonisation" by asserting that "holding British Jews responsible for the actions of the Israeli government is antisemitism, pure and simple."
Labour party figures are acutely aware of the strained relationship with many British Jews during the previous leadership of Jeremy Corbyn, a situation Keir Starmer prioritized rectifying early in his tenure. The party's recent relations with the British Jewish community have been fragile, compounded by vulnerability felt after last year's synagogue attack in Manchester and subsequent arson attacks on Jewish community ambulances in northwest London in the spring.
Burnham faces the task of managing this anxiety while advocating for the government's changing stance, particularly as he prepares to meet international counterparts for the first time in the coming weeks. Coordinated international action is hoped to mitigate potential backlash from Israel or the United States against any single nation.