Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Labour Divided on Gaza; Starmer Backs Israel, Burnham Apologises

7/12/2026

46 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

David Lammy said Labour’s Gaza response was “problematic” and that Sir Keir Starmer gave the party a “bad start”.
Andy Burnham apologised, praised Labour’s September 2025 recognition of a Palestinian state, and linked the Gaza war to the UK cost-of-living crisis.
Sir Keir Starmer told LBC on 11 October 2023 that Israel had the “right” to cut off Gaza’s power and water, with his spokesperson saying it referred to a right to self-defence.

History

Historical Context

The 2003 Iraq invasion, backed by Prime Minister Tony Blair, provoked the largest Labour rebellion in decades, with 159 MPs voting against the war and millions joining global protests. Today, David Lammy, Andy Burnham and Keir Starmer cite that same intra-party split while debating Labour’s stance on Israel’s Gaza campaign, a dispute that could reshape Britain’s diplomatic posture ahead of the next election.

1 of 2

Story summary

David Lammy said Labour’s Gaza response was “problematic” and that Sir Keir Starmer gave the party a “bad start”.
Andy Burnham apologised, praised Labour’s September 2025 recognition of a Palestinian state, and linked the Gaza war to the UK cost-of-living crisis.
Sir Keir Starmer told LBC on 11 October 2023 that Israel had the “right” to cut off Gaza’s power and water, with his spokesperson saying it referred to a right to self-defence.

1 / 2