Today, Andy Burnham moved into Number 10 Downing Street and is the U.K.'s new Prime Minister only three days after being anointed the new leader of the Labour Party. Keir Starmer might very well be rendered a footnote.
Last month, I wrote about my brief experience with him as my boss when I interned for the late Tessa Jowell more than 30 years ago. I do not remember those days with fondness.
In the days which have followed, Burnham has done little to inspire my confidence when it comes to Israel and Jews in the U.K.
Earlier this month, he apologized for his predecessor's stance on Gaza. Considering that Starmer recognized a Palestinian state before all hostages had been released by Hamas, this apology is nothing more than pandering to the Far Left and to the Islamists.
Burnham sought counsel on Gaza from former soccer player turned BBC journalist Gary Lineker. Last year, Lineker departed the BBC after sharing a social media post from a group called Palestine Lobby which described Zionists as rats. That Burnham would seek Lineker's advice on the subject speaks volumes about Burnham's attitudes towards Zionism and towards Jews.
Under Burnham's leadership, we can expect more calls for and acts of violence against the Jewish community in the U.K. Should Jews be murdered at a synagogue, community center or on the streets, I'm sure Burnham will say anti-Semitism has no place in the U.K. when in fact it will take place with his tacit approval.
Consequently, those Jews who can leave the U.K. will do so. Those who remain may see fit to throw in their lot with Nigel Farage. I have doubts about Farage, but if Burnham insists on singling out Israel while being unwilling or unable to combat anti-Semitism, U.K. Jewry could turn to him if he makes overtures Burnham is unprepared to make. Should Burnham lose to Farage in the next general election, he will only have himself to blame though that might not stop him from blaming the Jews.
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