Andy Burnham urged to act on Palestine
Quakers in Britain has joined nearly 20 organisations calling on incoming Prime Minister Andy Burnham to take urgent action on Palestine.
The organisations include Christian Aid, Medical Aid for Palestinians, Save the Children and CAFOD. Together they have signed a statement warning of an "existential threat" to Palestinians.
The statement points to a devastating period since October 2023 during which more than 73,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza. Over a thousand of those deaths came after the ceasefire began in October 2025.
Aid remains blocked, the statement says, with food, fuel, medicine and shelter materials still being restricted.
Last month, a UN Commission of Inquiry found that Israeli forces have continued to commit genocide and war crimes in Gaza, and war crimes in the West Bank.
In the West Bank, more than 1,100 Palestinians have been killed since October 2023. Around 6,000 Palestinians have been displaced as a result of Israeli settler and military violence.
A further 32,000 remain displaced from Jenin, Tulkarem and Nur Shams in the northern West Bank because of ongoing Israeli military operations.
The statement draws on a 2024 International Court of Justice advisory opinion which found Israel's occupation of Palestine to be unlawful.
The Court also said Israeli policy in Palestine amounts to annexation and breaches Palestinians' right to self-determination.
The coalition wants the new government to publish its long-awaited response to that opinion. They are calling for three main steps:
- A ban on all trade linked to illegal settlements
- Suspension of trade concessions with Israel until all relevant widespread violations of international law are brought to an end
- An end to all UK arms sales and transfers to Israel
Paul Parker, recording clerk for Quakers in Britain, said the moment called for moral clarity.
"What would it mean for our new Prime Minister to act on the conviction that there is that of God in everyone, and on the principle that no-one is above the law?" he said.
"We hold cautious hope that this new leadership can bring fresh determination and moral courage to end UK support for violations of international law against Palestinians."
The statement notes that polling consistently shows strong public support for each of these measures.