The UK will be resuming funding for UNRWA, the UN Palestinian refugee agency in Gaza, citing the need for humanitarian aid, new UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy said in the House of Commons on Friday.
The foreign secretary said the government will now provide £21 million in new funding and that UNRWA had taken steps to “ensure it meets the highest standards of neutrality,” according to Jewish News.
The UK, in line with other nations, had suspended funding to UNRWA over allegations that some employees had been supportive of Hamas following the October 7 attacks. Lammy alluded to this, saying he was "appalled" but that he felt the UN took the "allegations seriously."
“I can confirm to the house that we are overturning the suspension of UNRWA funding," Jewish News cited Lammy as saying.
In an exclusive with the Yorkshire Post, Lammy said his incentive for resuming funding was the "moral necessity [of providing aid] in the face of such a catastrophe."
“UNRWA has acted, partners like Japan, the European Union and Norway have also now acted, this Government will act too. I can confirm to the House that we are overturning the suspension of UNRWA funding."
The US remains the only state to have not resumed funding.
Jewish response
The Board of Deputies of British Jews responded by saying that, while the acknowledged the need for aid for those in need, this should be on the condition of "significantly increased oversight."
Reports of UNRWA employees among those committing atrocities on October 7, as well as longstanding concerns around antisemitism in UNRWA schools, including their educational content, meant that the UK government should be more stringent before resuming the £21 million funding, the Board said.
The Board also stated that the focus should be on incorporating UNRWA into the UNHCR, and questioned why they were still separate entities.
Our statement on the news that the Government is resuming funding to UNRWA: pic.twitter.com/7ff7DuZyoI
— Board of Deputies of British Jews (@BoardofDeputies) July 19, 2024