ByKELLY HARTOG/JTA

JUNE 23, 2026 04:41

Updated: JUNE 23, 2026 04:42

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who stepped down from the premiership on Monday, departs with a varied record in combating antisemitism within the Labour Party, a legacy that Jewish organizations believe will influence expectations for whoever follows him.

Starmer made his resignation announcement outside 10 Downing Street on Monday morning. He acted amid growing pressure from Labour MPs and declining political backing following the party's heavy defeats in the May 7 local elections and rival Andy Burnham's strong showing in Manchester's parliamentary election last week.

Burnham, the former mayor of Greater Manchester, has surfaced as the frontrunner after securing a Manchester-area by-election on Friday with 55 percent of the vote. He has worked to highlight his stance on antisemitism and ties to the Jewish community while seeking to succeed Starmer.

In a post on X, Burnham expressed thanks to Starmer for his leadership and noted that the prime minister's resignation "marks the beginning of a transition and it is important that this process is conducted in an orderly and responsible way. I will put myself forward as part of this process."

Starmer to stay on until new leader is selected

Starmer stated he would continue as caretaker prime minister until a replacement is chosen.

"The question my party is asking now is whether I am best placed to lead us into the next general election," he said. "I have heard the answer of my parliamentary party to that question, and I accept that answer with good grace."

The Jewish Labour Movement thanked Starmer in a post on X, observing that two years earlier he took over the party "at its lowest point" from former leader Jeremy Corbyn, when it was "institutionally antisemitic." It noted that under Starmer, "our party has a clean bill of health on antisemitism."

Still, Starmer's time in office drew criticism from parts of the Jewish community regarding his approach to antisemitism, especially amid continued attacks across the country. In recent months, four Hatzola ambulances were set ablaze, three synagogues faced attempted assaults, and two Jewish men in Golders Green were stabbed. Dozens of arrests have followed these events.

Starmer assumed office in July 2024 and guided the country's complex relations with Israel after the Hamas attack of October 7, 2023, and the ensuing Gaza conflict. He drew Israeli criticism for moves including recognition of Palestine and pledges to enforce the International Court of Justice arrest warrant against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on war crimes charges.

With Starmer's exit approaching, attention has turned to the leadership race, prompting fresh examination of candidates' views on antisemitism, the Jewish community, and Israel.

Starmer pledged his "full and unequivocal support" to his successor and said nominations would open on July 9 and close before the parliamentary summer recess on July 16.

Board of Deputies of British Jews President Phil Roseneberg posted on X that when Starmer assumed Labour leadership, he pledged to "tear out the poison of antisemitism by its roots." Roseneberg added that Starmer's actions proved transformative for the party.

He also commended Starmer's government for delivering "unprecedented security funding" and advancing legislation to ban the IRGC.

Burnham condemns antisemitism while facing questions over Israel stance

Burnham has condemned antisemitism following violent incidents. After the October 2025 Yom Kippur attack at the Heaton Park Congregation synagogue in Manchester that killed two people, he stated in an official release, "Tonight, our first thoughts are with the families of those who have died, those injured and those traumatised by this - a horrific antisemitic attack on our Jewish friends and neighbours. We condemn it outright."

He also posted on X the same day, "Today we have witnessed a vile attack on our Jewish community on its holiest day. We condemn whoever is responsible and will do everything within our power to keep people safe."

His positions on Israel and Gaza have drawn scrutiny. In a June 4 interview with The Guardian, Burnham avoided using the term "genocide" regarding the Gaza war but remarked, "I can't judge things of that enormity from where I am as mayor of Greater Manchester."

He continued, "But 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."

Ten days after the October 7 attacks, Burnham joined 10 Greater Manchester leaders in calling for a ceasefire. Their statement condemned "unreservedly the appalling terror attacks on innocent civilians in Israel by Hamas on 7th October."

The statement affirmed Israel's right to conduct "targeted action within international law" for self-defense and hostage rescue, while expressing "profound concerns about the loss of thousands of innocent lives in Gaza, the displacement of many more and widespread suffering through the ongoing blockade of essential goods and services."

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy told the Jewish News on June 17 that Burnham had met with Jewish communal leaders in Greater Manchester a few weeks earlier as he prepared his leadership bid.

On Israel, Nandy said Burnham "believes in justice, so he's acutely aware of the need for a safe homeland for Jewish people, you know, and the particularly unique historical reasons why Israel came into existence."