An ‘apology’ issued by Andy Burnham over the Labour party’s response to the Israeli genocide is “meaningless” unless followed by an end to arms sales to Israel, Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) has said. This includes components for the F-35 combat aircraft that Israel has used extensively in its attacks in Gaza, Iran and Lebanon.

In a three-minute piece to camera, published alongside an exclusive story with the Guardian, the likely next Labour leader stated: “I know many people feel that at the start of Israel’s military action in Gaza, my part didn’t get it right and I am sorry about that. The response has too often not been good enough. We need to do better.”

The MP for Makerfield continued, “We’ve got to do more to put pressure on the Israeli government … Yes, we have taken some important steps … But let’s be honest, the UK was too slow to call for a ceasefire. And we must now do more to strengthen our approach.”

On Israeli war crimes during the almost-three year genocide in Palestine, he said “I have been absolutely appalled by what I’ve seen and read about the destruction of Gaza. There’s increasing evidence that war crimes appear to have been committed.”

Burnham added, “There must be accountability for the depth of the suffering the people of Gaza have experienced. Ultimately, however, it must be for the international courts to determine, rather than politicians.”

Commenting, Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) Research Coordinator, Sam Perlo-Freeman said:

“It is a cynical move by Burnham to issue a non-apology for the Labour government’s many outrages during Israel’s ongoing genocide, while throwing us a red herring about the timing of ceasefire calls. His ‘apology’ is meaningless unless it is followed, if and when Burnham becomes PM, by a total ban on arms sales to Israel, with no exceptions or excuses.

“Burnham’s public relations push is designed to distract from the fact that Britain has, and remains, a vital cog in Israel’s war machine; whether in the F-35 programme, used by Israel to bombard Gaza, Iran and Lebanon, turning a blind eye to the 2,000+ Brits fighting in Gaza, drone component exports, or hosting Israelis who incite genocide – such as President Herzog.

“In hedging his language around the undeniable evidence of systematic war crimes by the Israeli government, Burnham is carefully avoiding triggering a legal duty to immediately halt arms sales. That in itself should ring alarm bells.

“Accountability means, among other things, ending the supply murder weapons to a genocidal regime and urgently investigating the over-2,000 Britons who took part in the organised, wanton slaughter of Palestinians, which the Met has so far refused to do. A Burnham government can also act to investigate how and why the current government allowed weapons to be unlawfully shipped to Israel via Belgium. But will it?

“All this points towards continued gaslighting by the next Labour government – albeit with new window dressing – in a desperate attempt to claw back the progressive vote.”