ICJP relieved to see UNRWA funding finally restored, but UK government must now go further
London, 19th July 2024- The International Centre of Justice for Palestinians is relieved to see UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) funding finally restored, following Foreign Secretary David Lammy’s announcement in the House of Commons. The news comes ten days after ICJP wrote to the foreign Office demanding that UNRWA funding be immediately restored.
UNRWA is the single largest provider of aid in both Gaza and the wider region, and funding for the organisation is vital to alleviate the effects of Israel’s genocide and the threat of famine resulting from Israel’s intentional restriction of aid and use of starvation as a weapon of war.
Following unsubstantiated claims by the Israeli government that 12 UNRWA employees were involved in the 7th October attacks, 18 countries suspended funding to UNRWA. The UK took the decision to pause funding on the 27th January 2024.
In April 2024, an UN-commissioned independent report called the Colonna report found that UNRWA had robust frameworks to ensure compliance with humanitarian neutrality principles. Despite these findings, the UK government still delayed restoring funding, even when many other countries restored it.
In March 2024, ICJP supported a pre-action letter for a legal challenge against the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), which was issued by Bindmans LLP. The legal challenge alleges that this was decided illogically and without due consideration of evidence, of international obligations, or of FCDO decision-making frameworks.
It is truly the bare minimum that funding has finally been restored, but it is a small step in the right direction. But with the threat of famine so high, UNRWA funding must now be increased, to try limit the damage of Israel’s genocide and use of starvation as a weapon of war. ICJP also calls on the UK government to condemn Israel for its efforts to restrict aid from entering Gaza, as well as its efforts to designate UNRWA as a terrorist organisation.
Also, whilst restoration of UNRWA funding is a key step, the UK government must ensure it is not complicit in Israel’s war crimes and crimes against humanity by also ending arms sales to Israel. Similarly, it must not interfere in the International Criminal Court’s applications for arrest warrants for potential Israeli war criminals Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant.
Senior Legal Officer Dania Abul Haj said:
“The UK is amongst the last countries to restore UNRWA funding. If anything, this is critical proof that foreign policy decisions cannot be based on unsubstantiated claims and accusation made by a state that has lied time and time again.
While the restoration of funding is a step, it is not good enough on its own. Many Palestinians have died as a direct result of UNRWA not being able to carry out its mandate and get aid where it needs to be. Now, more than ever, the UK has a duty to make up for the lack of support over the last few months.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
- The International Centre of Justice for Palestinians is an independent organisation of lawyers, politicians and academics who support the rights of Palestinians and aim to protect their rights through the law.
- ICJP’s press release on the legal challenge pre-action letter against the Foreign Office regarding UNRWA funding can be viewed here.
- ICJP’s press release on the Colonna report can be viewed here.
- For more information, or to arrange an interview with a spokesperson, please contact the ICJP news desk at [email protected].