The government will reverse the suspension of UK funding for the UN agency for Palestine.
David Lammy has stated that the government will reverse the suspension of UK funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine (UNRWA).
The foreign secretary also acknowledged that Israel is situated in a challenging geopolitical location and emphasised that civilians in Gaza are enduring extreme suffering. He expressed his commitment to promoting peace in the area.
In January 2024, the Foreign Office suspended any future financial support for UNRWA due to accusations that personnel from the humanitarian organisation were implicated in the October 7 Hamas incident, which triggered the recent escalation of conflict in the Middle East.
According to the Gazan health ministry, Israel has caused the deaths of over 38,600 individuals in the region within the span of nine months.
The conflict has resulted in a severe humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian coastal region, causing the majority of its 2.3 million inhabitants to be displaced and leading to widespread famine.
UNRWA, the sole United Nations agency devoted to assisting refugees from a particular region or conflict, confronted accusations that 12 of their personnel were implicated in the October 7 assault on Southern Israel, resulting in the death of 1,200 individuals.
Catherine Colonna, the ex-French Minister of Foreign Affairs, headed an autonomous Review Group to evaluate UNRWA’s adherence to neutrality.
The evaluation determined that UNRWA has implemented a substantial amount of structures and procedures to ensure adherence to the Humanitarian Principle of neutrality. Additionally, it noted that UNRWA likely possesses a more advanced system in comparison to other United Nations organisations and agencies.
The report acknowledged that there is still opportunity for development and ongoing concerns regarding neutrality.
Wire) (source from independent.co.uk )
During his address to Members of Parliament on Friday, Mr. Lammy announced that the government would reaffirm its financial support to the charity agency in the United Kingdom.
In his address to the Commons, he emphasised that providing humanitarian relief is an ethical imperative in light of this catastrophic situation. He further highlighted the crucial role played by aid agencies in ensuring that the support from the UK reaches the affected citizens directly. UNRWA plays a crucial role in these efforts.
“No other organisation has the capacity to provide assistance on the required magnitude. It is currently providing sustenance to more than half of the inhabitants in Gaza. Future reconstruction heavily relies on it, as it plays a crucial role in providing essential services to Palestinian refugees in the region.The claims of UNRWA personnel involvement in the seventh of October attacks left me deeply shocked and disgusted. However, the United Nations treated these accusations with great gravity. I have communicated with the United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, as well as the Commissioner, Philippe Lazzarini.
“We are confident that UNRWA, following Catherine Colonna’s independent review, is taking steps to ensure that it adheres to the highest standards of neutrality and is enhancing its procedures, including ensuring unrestricted access.”
“UNRWA has taken action, as have partners such as Japan, the European Union, and Norway. This government will also take action.”
“I affirm to the legislative body that we are reversing the decision to suspend funding for UNRWA.”
Britain will allocate £21 million in additional funding, with a portion aimed at assisting the implementation of the management reforms proposed by the Colonna review. UNRWA provides aid to over 5.5 million Palestinians, and tragically, around 200 of their staff members have lost their lives during this conflict.
“I express my gratitude to them for their life-saving efforts.”
A Labour Member of Parliament in the House of Commons expressed their dissatisfaction that none of the independent Members of Parliament, who were elected on pro-Gaza platforms, attended the address.
Josh Fenton-Glynn, the Labour MP for Calder Valley, expressed his concern that none of the independent candidates who were elected based on their stance on Gaza was present in the House of Commons for the announcement.
The Board of Deputies of British Jews emphasised that the restoration of money should be accompanied by a substantial enhancement of supervision over UNRWA’s operations.
The group stated that the separate existence of UNRWA, which is responsible for a specific group of refugees, is an abnormality that has to be addressed. They believe that UNRWA and UNHCR, which handles other refugee groups, should eventually be merged.
The International Centre for Justice for Palestinians (ICJP) stated that while the reinstatement of money is a positive development, it is insufficient on its own.
Dania Abul Haj, a senior legal officer of ICJP, stated that the failure of UNRWA to fulfil its purpose and provide aid to the necessary locations has directly resulted in the deaths of numerous Palestinians. Currently, it is imperative for the UK to fulfil its obligation to compensate for the insufficient assistance provided in the preceding months.
Some members of the Labour leadership were criticised by certain backbenchers within the party for their perceived delay in advocating for a ceasefire in Gaza. Mr. Lammy expressed his strong determination to promote the pursuit of peace.
He stated that there are individuals in this legislative body, including himself, who represent constituents who firmly believe that the international community lacks comprehension of Israel’s difficult situation. I would like to inform them that Israel is located in a challenging geopolitical region, facing threats from entities that seek its complete destruction.
There is no comparison between Israel’s democratic government and Hamas, a terrorist group that committed a barbaric deed on October 7th with the intention of killing numerous Israelis and inciting a larger fight with Palestinians.
“I wholeheartedly endorsed the UK’s involvement in protecting Israel during Iran’s unprecedented assault, and I strongly denounce the Houthi attack on Tel Aviv that occurred last night.”
“There are also individuals, such as myself, who advocate for constituents who firmly believe that the global community fails to comprehend the profound extent of Palestinian hardship. I assert to them that the inhabitants in Gaza are confined in a state of extreme suffering and misery.
The Palestinian people have endured a prolonged condition of uncertainty and suffering for many years, being unjustly deprived of their inherent entitlement to a sovereign nation.
“As the foreign secretary, I comprehend and acknowledge both of these viewpoints.” I acknowledge the suffering and distress experienced by all parties involved. It increases my determination to do everything within my power in my position to promote the cause of peace.
Alicia Kearns, the former chairwoman of the Commons Foreign Affairs Select Committee, questioned the foreign secretary about the delivery of aid to Gaza.
She inquired whether he had obtained any pledges during his talks to augment the quantity of trucks entering Gaza, as the current rate of approximately 70 per day is insufficient.
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