Britain's Prime Minister Andy Burnham attends the final day of the annual Labour Party conference in Liverpool, north-west England.
UK’s Burnham refuses to call Gaza war “genocide”
Note: AI technology was used to generate this article’s audio.
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has declined to label ‘Israel’s’ assault on Gaza a genocide, insisting the government will follow the determination of international courts rather than make a political judgment.
Speaking to LBC’s Nick Ferrari during the Labour Party conference in Liverpool on Wednesday, Burnham was asked about London Mayor Sadiq Khan’s description of events in Gaza as a genocide.
Khan, who has previously stated that “what’s happening in Gaza is a genocide” and called ‘Israeli’ Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a “perpetrator of genocide,” has repeatedly cited the scale of destruction, civilian deaths, and findings from UN bodies and the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
Burnham replied carefully: “In my position, I think it’s right that I wait and I base what I say on those who’ve studied the evidence and the legal position.”
UK PM Burnham may criticize Israel, but he refuses to use the word 'genocide' when it comes to Gaza:
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) September 30, 2026
“In my position I think it is right… I base what I say on those who’ve studied the evidence and the legal position….
I’m not saying that it is or isn’t at this point in…
He added that the government had spoken out where evidence was clear.
“I did agree with [Foreign Secretary] Ed Miliband to talk about the illegal occupation and the war crimes that we believe have been committed. So we did call it where we have evidence… and where we believe it’s clear, we have said that.”
On the specific question of genocide, Burnham was explicit: “I’m not saying that it is or isn’t at this point in time. That hasn’t yet been determined, but we will take our lead from the courts.”
The remarks came as he defended the government’s tougher approach under Miliband, which includes describing ‘Israel’s’ occupation of Palestinian territories as illegal, citing “increasing evidence” of war crimes in Gaza, and imposing sanctions on goods from West Bank settlements.
The ICJ case brought by South Africa in December 2023 under the Genocide Convention remains ongoing.
The Court issued provisional measures in 2024 finding a plausible risk of genocide and ordering ‘Israel’ to prevent such acts and ensure humanitarian access; those orders remain in force. Written pleadings continue, with South Africa’s reply due in November 2027 and ‘Israel’s’ rejoinder in May 2029, meaning a final merits judgment is years away.
Khan first publicly used the term “genocide” in September 2025, saying the conclusion was “inescapable” after viewing images of starving children, the collapse of Gaza’s health system, a man-made famine, the ICJ’s interim findings, and a UN commission report.
He has since reiterated the position and said Netanyahu would not be welcome in London, stating he would lobby the government to enforce any International Criminal Court arrest warrant.
Burnham’s measured stance continues a pattern.
Before becoming prime minister he declined to use the genocide label while expressing concerns about “disproportionate” destruction and calling for accountability.
His government has shifted UK policy toward stronger criticism of ‘Israeli’ actions and settlement activity while still leaving the ultimate legal characterisation of genocide to the courts.
