Israel‘s decision to ban the UN’s Palestinian aid agency from operating in Gaza will have ‘severe consequences’ and be a ‘catastrophe for humanitarian relief’, claimed ministers 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’ inside East Jerusalem, Gaza and the West Bank.
Ministers here vowed to continue pressing their Israeli counterparts for a U-turn while Labour MPs called for sanctions and arms export restrictions.
The Israeli legislation, which also deemed UNRWA a terror group, was drawn up after allegations that staff were involved in the Hamas attacks on October 7 last year.
A UN investigation insisted that nine employees from the agency – which has 13,000 staff – ‘may have’ been involved in the terror attack.
Palestinians wait in a queue at a UNRWA clinic in Deir-al-Balah to receive medication and medical treatment
An infant receiving treatment at the UN agency centre. UK Government figures have joined international condemnation of Israel after the Knesset voted to ban the UNRWA from operating in Gaza
Palestinian children in a UNRWA school. A UN investigation insisted that nine employees from the agency, which employs 13,000, ‘may have’ been involved in the October 7 attack last year
Labour resumed funding for UNRWA in July after the previous government suspended it in January.
It said the organisation has acted on recommendations from former French foreign minister, Catherine Colonna, following her inquiry into UNRWA breaches of neutrality, and that it was still the best vehicle to deliver vital aid to Gazans.
Last night the Prime Minister said the ‘gravely concerning’ vote in the Israeli Knesset ‘risks jeopardising the international humanitarian response in Gaza’.
Earlier, Health Secretary Wes Streeting said the move was a ‘catastrophe for humanitarian relief’ in Gaza, while Foreign Secretary David Lammy hinted on Monday that it could be grounds to impose sanctions on Israel.
Responding to an Urgent Question in Parliament yesterday, Foreign Office Minister Anneliese Dodds told MPs: ‘There will be severe consequences if the work of UNRWA is obstructed.’
But both Labour and Tory stalwarts questioned if ministers were using all options available to force Israel’s hand.
Labour MP Clive Betts said: ‘If Israeli ministers decide to implement this, aren’t they effectively engaging in an act of warfare by starvation?’
Palestinians outside a UN clinic in Deir al-Balah. UK ministers warned the move to block the agency risked ‘jeopardising the international humanitarian response in Gaza’
Two clinicians dispensing medication at the UNRWA centre. Labour and Tory stalwarts questioned if ministers were using all options available to force Israel’s hand
A UNRWA physiotherapist helps a Palestinian man at the Japanese Health Center in Khan Yunis, Gaza
Former Tory frontbencher Simon Hoare said: ‘Is this not verging on the definition of collective punishment?’
The PM’s official deputy spokesman said last night: ‘We’ve been very clear that Israel must ensure that UNRWA can deliver aid at the speed and scale needed to address a humanitarian emergency in Gaza.’
Shadow foreign affairs spokesman Harriet Baldwin told MPs that UNRWA must ‘rebuild the trust and confidence that is lost following the deeply troubling allegations’.
Ms Dodds replied: ‘We expect robust processes to continue to meet the highest standards of neutrality.’
An UNRWA spokesman said: ‘The vote by the Israeli parliament… violates Israel’s obligations under international law.’