British Prime Minister Andy Burnham affirmed his belief in the two-state solution in the Middle East, and that his government has taken action to keep this hope alive.
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“In a difficult and dangerous world, and a decade after Britain’s exit from the European Union, there is a risk that Britain will lose confidence in leading the country and defending its values, and I will not allow that to happen. It is of utmost importance that Britain stands up for its principles.”
Burnham said that Britain has long called for a two-state solution in the Middle East, but we must realize that these words are meaningless unless we translate them into actions.
He said the government had long hesitated to act, fearing accusations of anti-Israel bias , and “today, we are announcing targeted steps that do not target the Israeli people, but rather the unacceptable policies of the current Israeli government.”
Burnham added, “The suffering of the Palestinian people is a stain on the conscience of the world. Innocent Palestinians, including children, are still being killed in Gaza, and the humanitarian crisis persists, with very little aid arriving.”
Birnham: The suffering of the Palestinian people is a stain on the conscience of the world. Innocent Palestinians, including children, continue to be killed in Gaza, and the humanitarian crisis persists, with very little aid reaching the population.
He commented on the scale of the disaster in Gaza, saying, “It is difficult to comprehend the extent of the destruction: more than 70,000 dead, including at least 20,000 children, families and communities torn apart, and millions displaced. The people of Gaza now live on only a third of the Strip’s area.”
He said: “I know that people across the UK are very concerned about this issue, and so am I.”
Burnham recalled what he had said before arriving at the Prime Minister's office: “I said that our country's response has been too slow and too inadequate. That is why I am committed to changing the government's approach” and “I will not stand idly by while the appalling suffering worsens and the prospect of a two-state solution, the best hope for peace and stability in the region, is attacked.”
He said that the current Israeli government has approved more settlements in the past four years than in the previous twenty. The United Nations has reported more than 1,500 incidents of settler violence this year aimed at expelling Palestinians. The situation is rapidly deteriorating.
The Israeli government has so far approved 104 new settlements since taking office in December 2022. Before the October elections in Israel, it allowed tenders to be issued for the E1 project. This would cut through the heart of the West Bank, eliminating any hope of achieving a two-state solution, and “this cannot be allowed to happen.”
For this reason, the Birnam government took action and announced a new package of stringent measures to put pressure on the Israeli government:
First, prohibit trade in goods with illegal settlements in Palestine.
Secondly, the official change in the position of the British government, and the confirmation for the first time that the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories is illegal, regardless of the decision of the International Court of Justice, but in line with it.
The current Israeli government has approved more settlements in the past four years than in the previous twenty. The United Nations has reported more than 1,500 incidents of settler violence this year.
Third, impose sanctions on individuals and companies that support, facilitate, or profit from illegal settlements. This includes any companies or investors involved in the E1 project.
His government also announced a new package of much-needed humanitarian aid for Gaza.
He stressed that the government is taking these steps because they are the right thing to do.
He said he condemned the October 7, 2023 attack and continues to condemn Hamas, but this does not justify these actions by the Israeli government in Gaza or the West Bank.
He said that his government's actions are focused on targeting illegal settlements and increasing pressure on the Israeli government to change course. These are not sanctions against Israelis, many of whom disagree with the current government. They are not responsible for the actions of their government, nor is the Jewish community in Britain. Holding British Jews responsible for the actions of Benjamin Netanyahu's government is simply wrong. It is simply antisemitism.
He said he met with representatives of the Jewish community last week. He assured them that his government
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