What Andy Burnham should do next on Gaza | The David Hearst Podcast

David Hearst, editor in chief of Middle East Eye, says that Andy Burnham’s apology for Labour’s policy on Gaza should be taken seriously, but that it carries consequences far beyond words. Hearst says Burnham did not have to raise Gaza as he was being positioned as Labour’s next leader. Unlike Keir Starmer, who defended Israel’s right to cut power and electricity to Gaza, Burnham acknowledged that Britain was too slow to call for a ceasefire, that Israel continues to violate it, and that Netanyahu is trying to make a two-state solution impossible. But Hearst argues that calling Gaza “a scar on our collective conscience” is easier than healing the wound. He criticises Burnham for refusing to call what is happening in Gaza a genocide, saying the UK has legal obligations under international law and cannot pick and choose which duties to uphold. He says that a serious policy shift would mean suspending the UK’s trade agreement with Israel, banning settlement goods, stopping British citizens from serving in the Israeli army, ending arms export licences, including F-35 parts, and cutting military and intelligence cooperation. He concludes that Burnham faces a clear choice. If Labour continues to take Muslim, progressive and anti-war voters for granted, they may walk away for good. To stop the far right from shaping Britain’s future, Labour must rebuild itself around a moral core, and that begins with Palestine. Support stories that matter. Join this channel to get access to perks:    / @middleeasteye   Catch previous episodes of MEE LIVE, our biweekly news programme exploring the stories shaping our world through breaking coverage, expert analysis, and hard-hitting interviews. Originally airing Tuesdays & Thursdays at 12pm ET | 5pm BST Got a story tip or question? Reach us at [email protected] Subscribe to our channel: http://ow.ly/AVlW30n1OWH Subscribe to MEE Telegram channel to stay up to date: https://t.me/MiddleEastEye_TG Middle East Eye Website: https://middleeasteye.net Follow us on TikTok:   / middleeasteye   Follow us on Instagram:   / middleeasteye   Like us on Facebook:   / middleeasteye   Follow us on Twitter:   / middleeasteye