David Lammy calls for UK government to restore funding for UNRWA
Speaking in the Commons, the shadow foreign secretary described reports of the humanitarian situation in Gaza as 'a description of hell on earth'
Lee Harpin is the Jewish News's political editor
David Lammy has said it is “shocking” that the UK is one the last major donors who has not yet restored funding to the UN body for Palestinian refugees in the “face of famine” in Gaza.
Speaking in the Commons, having been granted an urgent question, the shadow foreign secretary described reports to him about the humanitarian situation in Gaza as being “a description of hell on earth.”
The Labour MP for Tottenham added:”It cannot go on.”
Gaza is beginning to resemble hell on earth.
We need an immediate ceasefire now. pic.twitter.com/MRBOt9Z6LD
— David Lammy (@DavidLammy) April 17, 2024
Directing his questions at government minister David Rutley, Lammy asked:”Why has the government not yet announced it’s restoring funding to UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees)?
“It’s shocking that in the face of famine, the UK is one of the last major donors that has not yet restored funding without explanation.”
Responding for the government, Rutley said it was recognised how UNRWA play an “important role” in distributing aid.
The Conservative minister said a report was due back at the end of the month, which the government would review, and then decide on whether to restore funding.
Lammy repeated a call for an “immediate ceasefire” to the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, which he stressed “both sides must agree to comply with.”
He said it should be noted that “Hamas and their leader Sinwar rejected the latest ceasefire deal.”
In January several countries including the UK have paused funding for the UNRWA after the agency announced the sacking of several of its staff over allegations they were involved in the 7 October Hamas attacks.
Israel alleged that 12 employees at the agency were involved in the Hamas terror attacks.
Mark Regev, working as an adviser to the Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the October 7th Hamas attacks had involved “people who are on their [UNRWA] salaries”.
He said there was information showing teachers working in UNRWA schools had “openly celebrated” the 7 October attacks.
Philippe Lazzarini, the UNRWA chief, said the decision to sack the staffers was taken “to protect the agency’s ability to deliver humanitarian assistance”.
“Any UNRWA employee who was involved in acts of terror will be held accountable, including through criminal prosecution,” he added.
Pausing future funding at the time UK Government said it had made all its planned contributions to UNRWA in the 2023/24 financial year (£35 million).
It had promised to review the decision after seeking further talks with the Israeli government to discuss the extent of involvement in the October 7th atrocity by UNRWA staff/
The EU has since resumed funding to UNRWA, on the condition of an EU- appointed audit and governance reforms by UNRWA being carried out.
Created in 1949, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, UNRWA, is the biggest UN agency operating in Gaza.
It provides health care, education and other humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria. It employs around 13,000 people inside Gaza.
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
