Israel’s decision to ban the UN’s aid agency from operating in Gaza will have ‘severe consequences’ and be a ‘catastrophe for humanitarian relief’
Israel’s decision to ban the UN Palestinian aid agency from operating in Gaza will have “serious consequences” and be a “catastrophe for humanitarian aid”, ministers claimed yesterday.
Government figures joined a chorus of international condemnation after Israeli politicians voted to prevent the United Nations Relief and Works Agency – UNRWA – from conducting “any activity” in East Jerusalem, Gaza and the West Bank.
Ministers here have pledged to continue pressing their Israeli counterparts for a turnaround, while Labor MPs are calling for sanctions and arms export curbs.
The Israeli legislation, which also considers UNRWA a terrorist group, was drawn up following allegations that its associates were involved in the Hamas attacks on October 7 last year.
A UN investigation revealed that nine employees of the service – which has 13,000 employees – were ‘possibly’ involved in the terrorist attack.
Palestinians wait in a line at an UNRWA clinic in Deir-al-Balah to receive medicine and medical treatment
A baby being treated at the UN agency centre. British government figures have joined international condemnation of Israel after the Knesset voted to ban UNRWA from operating in Gaza
Palestinian children at an UNRWA school. A UN investigation has found that nine employees of the service, which employs 13,000 people, were ‘possibly’ involved in the attack on October 7 last year
Labor resumed funding for UNRWA in July after the previous government suspended it in January.
It said the organization acted on recommendations from former French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna following her investigation into UNRWA violations of neutrality, and that it remains the best means of providing essential assistance to the inhabitants of Gaza.
Last night the Prime Minister said the “deeply worrying” mood in the Israeli Knesset “risks jeopardizing the international humanitarian response in Gaza.”
Earlier, Health Minister Wes Streeting said the measure was a “catastrophe for humanitarian aid” in Gaza, while Foreign Secretary David Lammy hinted on Monday that it could be a reason to impose sanctions on Israel.
Responding to an urgent question in Parliament yesterday, Foreign Secretary Anneliese Dodds told MPs: “There will be serious consequences if UNRWA’s work is hampered.”
But both Labor and Tory supporters questioned whether ministers were using all available options to force Israel’s hand.
Labor MP Clive Betts said: ‘If Israeli ministers decide to implement this, aren’t they essentially committing an act of war by starvation?’
Palestinians outside a UN clinic in Deir al-Balah. British ministers warned that the move to block the agency risks ‘compromising the international humanitarian response in Gaza’
Two doctors provide medicines at the UNRWA centre. Labor and Tory loyalists questioned whether ministers were using all available options to force Israel’s hand
An UNRWA physiotherapist helps a Palestinian man at the Japanese health center in Khan Yunis, Gaza
Former Tory frontbencher Simon Hoare said: ‘Doesn’t this border on the definition of collective punishment?’
The Prime Minister’s official deputy spokesman said last night: “We have been very clear that Israel must ensure that UNRWA can deliver assistance at the speed and scale necessary to address a humanitarian emergency in Gaza.”
Shadow foreign affairs spokesperson Harriet Baldwin told MPs that UNRWA must “restore the trust lost following the deeply disturbing allegations.”
Ms Dodds responded: ‘We expect robust processes to continue to meet the highest standards of neutrality.’
An UNRWA spokesperson said: ‘The vote by the Israeli parliament… violates Israel’s obligations under international law.’