Britain’s recently elected left-wing Labour government has announced it will end its aid suspension to the Hamas-linked United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in the Gaza Strip.
In January, the UK and other Western allies cut off aid to UN agencies following reports that a number of their staff had participated in the October 7 Hamas terror attack in Israel, which left some 1,200 innocent civilians dead and more than 250 hostages taken, some of whom remain held captive in Gaza.
Israel also accuses UNRWA of helping to radicalize Palestinians against the very existence of a Jewish state and allowing Hamas to misappropriate international aid for its own gain.
Nevertheless, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s New Left government voted on Friday Restore A controversial new round of aid to the UN agency is set to see £21 million in aid.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy told the House of Commons on Friday: “I am appalled by the allegations that UNRWA staff were involved in the attack on 7 October, but the United Nations takes these allegations seriously.”
Britain’s top diplomat said the independent investigation into UNRWA had “reassured” the British government that it was “ensuring that UNRWA meets the highest standards of neutrality and is strengthening its procedures, including vetting.”
Anneliese Dodds, UK Secretary of State for International Development Added“UNRWA is the only organisation that can deliver the scale of aid that is desperately needed in Gaza, which is why the UK is lifting its funding suspension with immediate effect.”
The government has ended its funding moratorium. United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) – Immediately effective.
This starts with £21 million to support the humanitarian response in Gaza, providing essential services to refugees across the region and alleviating civilian suffering.
Read more ➡️… pic.twitter.com/mwItbABdf5
— Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (@FCDOGovUK) July 19, 2024
Starmer has spent much of his term as leader rooting out anti-Semitism within the party after the scandals that plagued his predecessor, Jeremy Corbyn, but he now faces a rebellious bloc of British Muslims who were once his party’s most reliable constituency.
Five independent candidates, including Mr Corbyn, who campaigned on Gaza, were elected in this month’s general election. Many British Muslims began to defect in the wake of the Oct. 7 attacks and Mr Starmer’s initial failure to back calls for a ceasefire in the conflict between Israel and Hamas terrorists.
The new prime minister will therefore have to walk a delicate political balance, trying to balance the sentiments of the Muslim community while avoiding being perceived as anti-Israel by the general public.
Indeed, Starmer’s government has faced criticism from within his party for not doing enough, despite resuming aid to UNRWA on Friday.
Zara Sultana, Pakistani Labour MP for Coventry South, said: Said While saying she was “pleased” that aid to UNRWA had been resumed, she said “we cannot send aid to help the people of Gaza.” [and] At the same time, they sell weapons to Israel, which is killing innocent civilians.
“International law must be respected [and] “Stop arms sales to Israel,” demanded the Muslim lawmaker.
Meanwhile, the anti-Semitism movement Said“If you want to understand how Gazan society has been radicalized, start with the schools. The schools are run by UNRWA.”
“David Lammy and [Foreign Development Office] We have decided to resume funding this vicious organization.”
Farage warns Muslim voters will back pro-Gaza candidate: ‘sectarian politics are here to stay’https://t.co/JaQv4oPRcD
— Breitbart London (@BreitbartLondon) May 5, 2024
