The frontrunner to become Britain's next prime minister, Andy Burnham, said Thursday evening that the UK must pressure Israel and restrict arms sales, according to The Times of Israel. The statement marks a further escalation of his criticism of Israeli policy.
UK prime ministerial frontrunner Andy Burnham has called on the UK government to pressure the Israeli government and restrict arms sales, according to a report by The Times of Israel published Thursday evening. The statement, which follows a series of increasingly critical remarks by Burnham in recent weeks, appears to signal a further hardening of his position toward Israel as he is widely expected to succeed Keir Starmer as Labour leader and prime minister.
As The Zioneer has reported over the past two weeks, Burnham has apologized for Labour's response to the Gaza conflict, called for heavier pressure on Israel, and backed trade sanctions on settlements and a war crimes investigation. Earlier Thursday, an unsourced report indicated the frontrunner would apply heavier pressure; the current statement provides specific policy direction.
The precise venue or context of the remarks was not specified in the report. Burnham's office has not issued an immediate comment.
3 developments
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Source and signal
- Internal intake