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Labour grassroots groups push Andy Burnham to recognize genocide in Gaza

Campaigners and party factions circulate conference motions demanding sanctions and a complete arms embargo on Israel.

Updated Aug 24, 2026 · 00:17 UTC1 reports

The short version

  • Grassroots Labour factions and activist groups are coordinating to introduce conference motions urging Prime Minister Andy Burnham to formally classify Israel's actions in Gaza as genocide.
  • The proposed motions call on the UK government to implement full trade sanctions, an arms embargo, and import bans related to Israeli settlements.
  • Burnham has acknowledged past party shortcomings on the issue but maintains that legal genocide determinations rest with international courts.
  • The effort presents an early internal test for Burnham's administration ahead of his first party conference as prime minister.

Key facts

  • Groups including Momentum, Labour & Palestine, the Campaign for Labour Party Democracy, and the Palestine Solidarity Campaign are circulating a model motion for the upcoming Labour Party conference.[The Guardian]
  • The model motion calls on ministers to accept UN commission findings of genocide, impose a full arms embargo, and restrict trade assisting Israeli military actions or settlement activity.[The Guardian]
  • Prime Minister Andy Burnham has apologized for previous party policy on Gaza under former leadership, though he stated that rulings on genocide must be determined by international courts.[The Guardian]
  • Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband stated that the government plans to announce a set of measures following Israel's advancement of settlement plans in the West Bank.[The Guardian]
  • A joint letter from over 100 former British and French diplomats called on Burnham and French President Emmanuel Macron to halt arms transfers and apply trade measures against Israel.[The Guardian]

What remains uncertain

  • It is not yet determined whether party conference organizers will allow the submitted Palestine motions to reach the conference floor for debate.[The Guardian]
  • The exact scope and timing of the government measures against Israeli settlement activity mentioned by Ed Miliband remain unspecified.[The Guardian]

Sources