British government wants to lift the funding ban on the Palestinian aid organization
The new British government has announced the resumption of funding for the UN Palestinian Refugee Agency (UNRWA). "We are lifting the suspension of UNRWA funding," said British Foreign Secretary and Labour politician David Lammy in the House of Commons in London on Friday, adding that the organization is "absolutely central" for the provision of humanitarian aid in Gaza. The previous conservative British government, like other donor countries, had suspended the financing of UNRWA in January.
UNRWA came under heavy criticism at the beginning of the year when Israel accused twelve UNRWA employees of directly participating in the unprecedented attack by the radical Islamic Hamas on October 7.
Lammy also announced an additional 21 million pounds (approximately 24.9 million Euros) in funding for UNRWA. He was "appalled" by the allegations against the UN Palestinian Refugee Agency. However, he was reassured by the proposed reforms suggested by an independent body that UNRWA "ensures it meets the highest neutrality standards and improves its procedures, including the vetting of staff."
Moreover, in his first speech before Parliament, Lammy reiterated his call for an "immediate ceasefire" in Gaza and the release of hostages there. "Much, much more humanitarian aid must come to Gaza," Lammy also said. UNRWA spokesperson Juliette Touma told the AFP news agency that the British government's decision was "excellent and very welcome." Previously, Germany, the EU, France, Japan, and Sweden had already resumed their suspended payments to UNRWA.
The Hamas attack on Israel on October 7 triggered the war in Gaza. According to Israeli reports, Hamas fighters, classified as a terrorist organization by the EU and the US, killed 1,195 people and took 251 hostages in Gaza. In response to the attack, Israel has been conducting massive military operations in Gaza since then. According to reports from the health ministry controlled by the Hamas, which cannot be independently verified, over 38,800 people have been killed since then.
- Despite the previous British government's prohibition on financing, the current British government, led by Labour politician David Lammy, has resumed funding for Palestinian relief works through UNRWA.
- Lammy, who was "appalled" by the allegations against UNRWA, announced an additional 21 million pounds in funding for the organization, expressing his belief in its ability to meet neutrality standards and improve its procedures.
- In light of the resumed funding from various countries, including the British government, UNRWA spokesperson Juliette Touma acknowledged the decision as "excellent" and "very welcome," emphasizing the organization's crucial role in providing humanitarian aid in Gaza.
