Labour contender Andy Burnham declines to say Israel has committed genocide in Gaza

Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, has declined to describe Israel's actions in Gaza as genocide.

Burnham, who is standing to be the MP for Makerfield in the by-election on 18 June and intends to replace Sir Keir Starmer as British prime minister, was asked about foreign policy an interview with the Guardian on Thursday.

According to the news outlet, Burnham declined to say Israel has committed genocide, explaining: "I can’t judge things of that enormity from where I am as mayor of Greater Manchester."

But Burnham added: "I do have concerns about the disproportionate nature of what has happened in terms of the destruction, and there has to be a full process of investigation and accountability."

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