Andy Burnham’s bid to succeed Keir Starmer has triggered renewed scrutiny of his long record on Israel, Gaza and antisemitism after a decade-old video resurfaced online. In the clip, Burnham said that if he became Labour leader, his first foreign visit would be to Israel, a remark now being revisited amid the party’s leadership contest. The former Greater Manchester mayor has repeatedly called for stronger action against antisemitism within Labour while also backing a Gaza ceasefire after October 7. As Burnham emerges as a leading contender, his Middle East positions are becoming a key issue in the race.