The British government had paused funding the U.N. agency over claims that 12 of its staff were involved in the deadly Hamas terror attack on Israel on Oct. 7.
A truck marked with United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) logo crosses into Egypt from Gaza at the Rafah border crossing during a temporary truce between Hamas and Israel, on Nov. 27, 2023. (Amr Abdallah Dalsh/Reuters)
The UK will recommence funding the United Nations’ relief agency for Palestinian refugees, Foreign Secretary David Lammy has confirmed.
In a statement delivered in the House of Commons on Friday, Mr. Lammy said that the UK will release £21 million for aid to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). A further £5.5 million will also be dispersed to UK-Med, an NGO which provides medical aid in conflict and disaster zones, which is operating in the Gaza Strip.
Mr. Lammy said UNRWA was essential to aid efforts, continuing: “It is already feeding over half of Gaza’s population. It will be vital for future reconstruction, and it provides critical services to Palestinian refugees in the region.”
In January, the UK joined Japan, Australia, and other nations in suspending funding to the UN aid agency following allegations that 12 of its employees were involved in the Hamas terror attacks on Israel on Oct. 7, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 Israelis, including women and children.
The attacks precipitated a war between the terror group and Israel, resulting in the displacement of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, which has a population of 2.3 million.
‘UNRWA Has Acted’
Mr. Lammy told members of parliament that he was appalled by the allegations that UNRWA staff—which the agency said it had fired—were involved in the Oct. 7 attacks, “but the UN took those allegations seriously.”
He said that following an independent review into the aid agency—the Colonna Report—he and U.N. officials were “reassured that UNRWA is ensuring that it meets the highest standards of neutrality and is strengthening its procedures, including on vetting.”
“UNRWA has acted. Partners such as Japan, the European Union and Norway have also acted, and this Government will act too. I can confirm to the House that we are overturning the suspension of UNRWA funding,” he told MPs.
Secretary-General of UNRWA Philippe Lazzarini thanked the UK for the renewed trust in the agency, saying in a post shared to social media platform X: “The UK has been a committed [and] long-standing partner to UNRWA over the decades.
“This announcement comes at a critical time as the Agency continues to come under harsh [and] unprecedented attacks.”
‘Regressive and Dangerous’
Jewish charity Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA) called the move a “deeply regressive and dangerous step.”
A CAA spokesperson said in a statement: “UNRWA prefers to downplay its failures rather than address them, the body lacks proper oversight and has constantly faced allegations of corruption. If one wants to know how Gazan society became radicalised, start with its schools. They are run by UNRWA.”
The TaxPayers’ Alliance (TPA), a group which advocates for lower taxes, also expressed concern at the use of British funds.
TPA researcher Jonathan Eida said in a statement: “Taxpayers will be concerned about the decision to restore funding to UNRWA given the alarming allegations made against the organisation.
“For decades this body has attracted enormous controversy over its role in perpetuating the conflict, with little in the way of justification for its costly existence given the presence of the UNHCR which is responsible for all other refugees.”
Shadow foreign secretary David Lammy arrives at BBC Broadcasting House to appear on the BBC One current affairs programme, 'Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg,' in London, England, on April 7, 2024. (Jordan Pettitt/PA Wire)
UNRWA has about 13,000 staff in the Gaza Strip, almost all Palestinians, ranging from aid workers, medical staff, and teachers in schools run by the agency.
Israel has accused Hamas of using UNRWA-operated hospitals and schools to shield its terror operations in the Gaza Strip.
Labour Committed to Two-State Solution
The foreign secretary called for an immediate ceasefire to secure the release of hostages and end the conflict in the Gaza Strip.
He also reiterated his government stands by its manifesto pledge to support progress towards Palestinian recognition as part of a peace process which also guarantees the safety of Israel.
“We are absolutely committed to the two-state solution,” he said, adding that the plan “must, of course, guarantee the security of Israel, but the Palestinian cause is a just cause, and we must work with Arab partners and build up the Palestinian Authority. I spoke to them at length about what more we can do to assist them with the reforms that they need to make so that we can realise that.”
“[It] is absolutely right to put on record our deep concern for the hostages, their families and their plight. If they were released, we could end this now,” he said.
Victoria Friedman is a UK-based reporter covering a wide range of national stories.
