Prime Minister David Cameron is under pressure from a cross-party group of more than 50 MPs and colleagues to restore funding to the United Nations humanitarian agency in Palestine.
Britain was among the countries that cut funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (Unrwa) following Israeli claims that some of its staff were involved in the October 7 attack by Hamas.
In a letter to the Foreign Secretary, MPs asked for clarity on why the UK decided to suspend funding and why the Anruwa inquiry’s interim report was not sufficient for funding to be reinstated.
The government said no funding was expected from the UK to Unrwa until the end of April and was awaiting the outcome of a review of the agency by former French foreign minister Catherine Colonna and a UN investigation into the October 7 claims. Ta.
The letter, written by SNP foreign affairs spokesperson Brendan O’Hara MP and signed by colleagues from all major parties, says funding should be restored “without delay”.
“By resuming funding to Unrwa, the UK can demonstrate its commitment to protecting human rights, promoting stability in the region and promoting a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict,” the letter said. .
Mr O’Hara added: “Since the serious allegations from Israeli authorities regarding Unruwa, two independent investigations have been conducted. Following this conclusion, Canada, France, Finland, Australia, Sweden and our European Union allies have all committed to funding So why didn’t Britain do that?
“Unruwa has played a key role in supporting the approximately 1.9 million Palestinians who have been internally displaced throughout this conflict.
“De-funding them risked significant reputational damage and derailed the vital life-saving work they are carrying out.”
Signatories to Mr O’Hara’s letter include Conservative MP Frick Drummond, former Labor shadow cabinet minister Richard Burgon, the Bishop of Southwark and Chiswick’s former diplomat Lord Hannay.
