UK Resumes Funding to UNRWA in Gaza Following Independent Review Amidst Controversial Allegations

UK administration reinstates support for UNRWA in Gaza

The UK had halted financial aid to the agency in January following claims that 12 employees participated in the attacks on Israel on October 7. However, following an independent investigation, the foreign secretary expressed confidence, stating UNRWA's role is crucial during the conflict.

Political correspondent @NifS

Friday, July 19, 2024, 1:

The UK government has reversed its decision to halt funding for a UN agency that provides aid in Gaza.

In January, the Foreign Office halted all forthcoming financial support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) following claims that certain employees participated in the Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7 of the previous year.

During a session in the House of Commons on Friday, Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced the government's decision to lift the suspension previously placed on aid, revealing that an additional £21 million would be allocated to provide emergency food, shelter, and other forms of assistance to the numerous Palestinians impacted by the ongoing conflict.

Israeli government official David Mencer expressed to Sky News that reinstating financial aid to UNRWA was "a big mistake," claiming that the agency was channeling funds to and backing Hamas.

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Mr. Lammy informed Members of Parliament, "In light of such a disaster, providing humanitarian assistance is an ethical imperative, and it is through aid organizations that UK support is delivered to civilians directly."

"UNRWA plays a pivotal role in these operations. There is no other organization capable of delivering assistance to Gaza on such a large scale."

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The foreign secretary expressed shock and dismay over the accusations aimed at UNRWA personnel, which emerged from a report by Israeli intelligence.

However, he expressed confidence following an independent evaluation by France's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Catherine Colonna, asserting that the organization was "upholding the utmost standards of impartiality and enhancing its processes, notably in screening." He also referenced nations such as France, Germany, and Japan, which had already resumed their financial support.

The UN Office of Internal Oversight Services is currently conducting an ongoing probe into claims made against UNRWA personnel, with the investigation still in progress.

The Foreign Office announced that Mr. Lammy had communicated with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres to affirm the UK's commitment, and that development minister Anneliese Dodds is scheduled to have discussions with UNRWA Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini on Friday regarding the deployment of the new funds to aid their initiatives.

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ActionAid UK expressed approval of the new measure, describing it as a "much-needed move" to reinstate the "crucial support system in Gaza."

Julia Rosell Jackson, the senior humanitarian advocacy adviser, urged the UK government to halt arms sales to Israel, highlighting the need to "address this obvious inconsistency."

The Board of Deputies of British Jews refrained from condemning the restoration of the funds, instead issuing a statement that emphasized: "Although we firmly support the direct provision of aid to those in need, we assert that any reinstatement of funding should be accompanied by a substantial enhancement in the monitoring of UNRWA's operations."

A dossier from Israel, spanning six pages and disclosed earlier this year, alleged that a dozen employees of UNRWA participated in an assault by the Palestinian organization Hamas, which ignited the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

The report stated that on the day of the attack, during which Hamas militants killed approximately 1,200 individuals and took over 250 hostages, six employees entered Israel. It was further alleged that a seventh employee assisted in coordinating logistics for the lethal assault.

Out of the seven individuals, four were accused of being involved in the kidnapping or aiding in the kidnapping of Israelis, while two others were reportedly involved in attacks on collective agricultural settlements.

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UNRWA stated that Israel had not supplied any proof to back up its claims, and Alistair Bunkall from Sky News, who reviewed the document, reported that it lacked substantial evidence for the allegations.

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) provides assistance to Palestinian refugees located in Gaza, East Jerusalem, and the West Bank, along with those in Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria. In Gaza alone

It provides a range of services such as medical care, educational programs, food assistance, social welfare, infrastructure development, camp enhancement, and crisis management, even in scenarios involving armed conflict.

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