UK re-instates UNRWA fund with $27 million
4 Min Read
UK Foreign Minister David Lammy reassured Parliament that UNRWA had taken steps to "ensure it meets the highest standards of neutrality,” following the suspension of funds based on allegations that some of the agency's staff were involved in Hamas’ Al-Aqsa Flood operation.
-
An UNRWA worker in Jenin collects rubbish from the streets of a refugee camp, January 30, 2024. (AFP)
UK’s newly-elected Labour government said on Friday that it would return to fund the UN Palestinian refugee agency, UNRWA, combating the suspension imposed by the former Conservative government.
"I can confirm to the house that we are overturning the suspension of UNRWA funding, Britain will provide 21 million (pounds) in funds," British Foreign Minister David Lammy said.
Lammy reassured Parliament that UNRWA had taken steps to "ensure it meets the highest standards of neutrality,” following the international community’s suspension of the agency’s funds based on allegations that some of its staff was involved in Hamas’ Al-Aqsa Flood operation on October 7.
UK PM Starmer to drop delay on Netanyahu ICC arrest warrant
Contrary to the Conservative government, the Labour Party has taken more of a supportive stance on Palestine.
The UK’s newly elected government is also expected to drop its bid to delay the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) decision on issuing an arrest warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for his international war crimes in Gaza, The Guardian reported on July 8.
Keir Starmer, the UK’s new prime minister spoke to both the Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Netanyahu on July 7.
Starmer spoke to Abbas about Gaza’s “ongoing suffering and devastating loss of life,” and expressed his belief that Palestine has the right to sovereignty.
During his phone call with Netanyahu, Starmer urged for the prime minister to call for a ceasefire in Gaza, stressing that “it was also important to ensure the long-term conditions for a two-state solution were in place, including ensuring the Palestinian Authority had the financial means to operate effectively.”
Starmer also expressed his concern over "Israel’s" ongoing war with Hezbollah, stating it was “crucial all parties acted with caution."
UK's FM calls for Gaza ceasefire for third time since assuming office
For the third time, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy demanded a ceasefire in Gaza during a visit to occupied al-Quds.
During his second day of meetings with Israeli officials, including a meeting with Israeli President Isaac Herzog, Lammy maintained his plea for a ceasefire. The new British Foreign Secretary is continuing a diplomatic effort despite waning chances of an immediate ceasefire.
Lammy relayed, “I hope that we see a hostage deal emerge in the coming days, and I am using all diplomatic efforts,” adding, “I hope, too, that we see a ceasefire soon, and we bring an alleviation to the suffering and the intolerable loss of life that we’re now seeing also in Gaza.”
In May, Lammy called on the previous UK government to pause arms sales to "Israel", particularly weapons used in an Israeli invasion of Rafah for the first time since the war on Gaza began.
"Labour has been opposed to an Israeli offensive in Rafah for months and has been clear it must not go ahead," Lammy explained.
In January this year, when he was Labour's shadow foreign secretary, Lammy accused "Israel" of utilizing "devastating tactics" that have led to the killing of "too many innocent civilians," along with the "unacceptable" blockade of humanitarian aid.
He expressed that Gaza is in "dire" need of a ceasefire and "not a short pause."
The ceasefire will "provide urgent humanitarian relief, ward off famine, free hostages, and provide the space for a sustainable ceasefire, so fighting does not restart."
