By james art Sir Keir Starmer said the UK was “gravely concerned” by the Israeli Knesset’s approval of two new laws that would designate UNRWA (the United Nations Relief and Works Agency) as a terrorist organisation.
The laws, which will not take effect immediately, would bar UNRWA from working on Israeli soil, effectively barring it from working in Gaza or the West Bank, where access is controlled by Israel.
In a statement on Monday evening, Sir Keir said: “This legislation risks making UNRWA’s essential work for Palestinians impossible, jeopardizing the entire international humanitarian response in Gaza and the provision of essential health and education services in the West Bank.”
The government has repeatedly called on Israel to increase the flow of aid to Gaza, where the UN said supplies of basic humanitarian goods “continue to be denied by the Israeli authorities, with few exceptions”.
Sir Keir said: “The humanitarian situation in Gaza is simply unacceptable. We need to see an immediate ceasefire, the release of the hostages and a significant increase in aid to Gaza.
“According to its international obligations, Israel must ensure that sufficient aid reaches civilians in Gaza.
“Only UNRWA can deliver humanitarian aid at the scale and speed required.”
Israel accuses UNRWA of turning a blind eye to Hamas fighters it claims have infiltrated its personnel, including a small number of its 13,000 staff in Gaza who took part in the October 7, 2023 attack on southern Israel.
The previous UK government suspended payments to UNRWA amid allegations that its staff were involved in the attacks, but payments were reinstated after an independent review found the organization had “robust” mechanisms to ensure its neutrality.
Sir Keir added: “We pay tribute to the 222 UNRWA staff who lost their lives in the conflict.
“UNRWA has a UN mandate to support Palestinian refugees. We call on Israeli lawmakers to ensure that UNRWA can continue to carry out its core work.
In a statement on X, ex-Twitter, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said: “UNRWA staff involved in terrorist activities against Israel must be held accountable.
“As avoiding a humanitarian crisis is also essential, continued humanitarian assistance must remain available in Gaza now and in the future.
“In the 90 days before this legislation takes effect – and beyond – we stand ready to work with our international partners to ensure that Israel continues to facilitate humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza in a way that does not endanger Israel’s security.”
About 1.9 million Palestinians, 90% of Gaza’s population, have been displaced from their homes and the territory faces widespread shortages of food, water and medicine.
Earlier, Foreign Secretary David Lammy told MPs that the allegations against UNRWA staff offered “no jurisdiction to sever ties”.
Asked by former Conservative minister Mel Stride whether there would be “any consequences” for the Israeli government as a result of the bills being passed, Mr Lammy said he hoped the laws would not be implemented.
He said: “It cannot be in their interest to be the only aid organization that not only provides health care but also schools for young people and of course works not only in Gaza but also in the occupied territories.
“It’s just not in their best interest to do that because they’re going to have to provide it themselves.”
Asked by Labor MP Clive Betts about the possibility of sanctioning Israeli parliamentarians who voted for the legislation, Mr Lammy said he “unequivocally condemns” the “vile language being used by extremist elements in the Israeli government”. , adding that the sanctions remain under review.
On Monday, the Prime Minister also met his Lebanese counterpart Najib Mikati at Downing Street to discuss the situation in the Middle East.
Offering his condolences for the “many lives lost” in Lebanon, Sir Keir began his meeting with Mr Mikati by stressing the importance of securing an end to hostilities in the region.
Mr Mikati thanked Sir Keir for calling for a ceasefire in the region and for Britain’s support on humanitarian issues.