Britain Restores Funding to UNRWA Amid Israel-Gaza Conflict

Britain Restores Funding to UN Agency for Palestinians Amid Ongoing Crisis

On Friday, Britain announced its decision to reinstate financial support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), marking a significant endorsement of the agency by the new Labour government. This move represents the administration’s first major action in response to the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict.

David Lammy, the British Foreign Secretary, addressed Parliament, affirming that UNRWA has implemented measures to ensure compliance with “the highest standards of neutrality.” He revealed that the British government would transfer £21 million (approximately $27 million) to the agency, which plays a crucial role in delivering humanitarian assistance to the beleaguered population of Gaza.

Previously, funding had been suspended under the Conservative government after Israel alleged that several UNRWA employees were linked to the Hamas-led attacks that resulted in the deaths of around 1,200 Israeli civilians on October 7. Although Israel has asserted that numerous agency staff members have ties to terrorist organizations, it has not provided substantial evidence to back these broader claims.

“I was appalled by the allegations that UNRWA staff were involved in the October 7 attacks, but the U.N. treated these allegations with the seriousness they warranted,” stated Mr. Lammy, who took on the role of Foreign Secretary on July 5, following the Labour Party’s sweeping electoral victory over the Conservatives.

Following an independent review, Lammy expressed that the British government has been “reassured” that UNRWA is “enhancing its procedures, particularly concerning staff vetting.” Initially, Britain had joined the United States and a coalition of over a dozen countries in halting its funding to the agency. However, as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza has worsened, last week saw 118 nations publicly expressing their support for UNRWA at the United Nations, with Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stating emphatically, “There is no alternative to UNRWA.”

During his remarks, Lammy, who had recently returned from a trip to Israel, reiterated his call for an immediate cease-fire and criticized Israel for the ongoing restrictions on aid entering Gaza. “Israel promised a flood of aid back in April, yet continues to impose impossible and unacceptable limitations,” he remarked. His statement reflects the complex political pressures that the Labour government is poised to navigate regarding the conflict.

Despite the renewed funding for UNRWA, Lammy did not indicate that Britain would retract the previous government’s stance against the arrest warrants sought by the International Criminal Court for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. He mentioned that the government would refrain from taking action on this issue until the court completes its legal review to ascertain whether Israel is adhering to international human rights standards.

This cautious approach has attracted criticism from various factions within the Labour Party, who are advocating for more decisive measures against Israel. Notably, some Labour politicians faced electoral setbacks due to the party’s restrained stance on the conflict, with Jonathan Ashworth, a prominent Labour figure expected to secure a cabinet position, unexpectedly losing his seat to a pro-Palestinian activist.