LONDON: Britain’s new Labour government on Friday announced its decision to resume funding for the UN Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA, urging Israel to facilitate increased aid access to Gaza.
The funding had been suspended along with several other countries’ contributions following allegations by Israel linking some UNRWA staff to an October 7 Hamas attack.
British Foreign Minister David Lammy informed parliament that he had received assurances regarding UNRWA’s commitment to neutrality. He emphasized the agency’s critical role in providing education, health services, and aid to millions of Palestinians.
The UK government now plans to allocate £21 million ($27.1 million) in new funding to UNRWA.
Lammy highlighted the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, noting severe malnutrition among children and a significant rise in diarrheal diseases and polio cases. He underscored the moral imperative of humanitarian aid in such circumstances, emphasizing that UN agencies are crucial in delivering UK support directly to affected civilians.
Several countries, including Japan, Germany, Italy, Australia, and Canada, have also resumed funding to UNRWA after suspensions. Israel has accused UNRWA of complicity with Hamas, citing alleged ties between the group and the agency’s infrastructure.
In April, a review led by former French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna found no evidence to substantiate Israel’s claims that UNRWA employed hundreds of militant group members.
Earlier statements by former Foreign Minister David Cameron in February had emphasized the need for stringent guarantees that UNRWA would not employ individuals supporting attacks against Israel.
Lammy assumed the role of Foreign Minister following the Labour Party’s electoral victory on July 4, succeeding David Cameron in office.
