UK’s Incoming PM Brings Sharp Shift in Policy Toward Israel and Gaza

Andy Burnham, the incoming Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, is set to take office on Monday, July 20, 2026, succeeding outgoing PM Keir Starmer. Ahead of his official swearing-in before King Charles III, Burnham outlined a significant leftward shift in British foreign policy toward Israel and the Gaza conflict.

In a recent speech, Burnham criticized Israel’s military actions in Gaza and the previous Labour leadership’s response to the war, expressing regret that the party was not sufficiently supportive of a ceasefire early on. He accused Israel of repeatedly violating ceasefire agreements and causing unacceptable civilian casualties, including children. Burnham described the suffering in Gaza as a "scar on our collective conscience" and cited growing evidence suggesting war crimes may have been committed.

Burnham announced plans to impose sanctions on Israelis involved in violence, ban trade with Israeli settlements, and restrict arms licenses to Israel. Despite his harsh stance on Israel, he condemned the October 7 attacks as "monstrous" and strongly denounced antisemitism in the UK, emphasizing that combating antisemitism does not conflict with holding the Israeli government accountable.

Burnham, elected Labour leader last Friday at a special London conference, promised to build a new politics that serves all people and regions, calling this government transition the most significant political change in 40 years. His policy shift is expected to directly impact UK-Israel relations going forward.