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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Politics
Pippa Crerar Political editor

Burnham’s apology over Gaza marks ‘reset moment’ as Labour seeks to win back progressive voters

Andy Burnham stands before a lectern and microphones, speaking and gesturing emphatically with his hands
Burnham’s apology for Labour’s initial response to Israel’s military action in Gaza came with a promise to put more pressure on the Israeli government. Photograph: Alastair Grant/AP

On the final day of Labour’s party conference in 2023, when the public was still reeling from the brutal Hamas attack on Israel just days before, Keir Starmer took to the airwaves for the traditional broadcast round – but gave one interview that would have particularly damaging fallout.

Sitting down with LBC’s Nick Ferrari, the then opposition leader asserted Israel’s right to defend itself, a stance that was in line with the broad political consensus at the time. But then he also appeared to suggest it had “the right” to withhold power and water from Palestinian civilians.

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