THE UK Government must resume funding for a vital Palestinian aid agency after Israel failed to prove its claims the organisation had ties to Hamas.
Germany on Wednesday announced it was resuming funding for the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which has long held an important role in distributing international aid in Palestine.
The move has sparked fresh calls for the UK to resume its funding, following the lead of the European Union and others which had paused cash in light of alleged links with Hamas.
Speaking in the Scottish Parliament after Germany’s announcement, External Affairs Secretary Angus Robertson said Britain must resume funding to UNRWA.
External Affairs Secretary @AngusRobertson has called on the UK Government to follow the lead of Germany, which has announced it will resume funding to @UNRWA, alongside countries including Australia, Canada, Sweden and Japan, to support the delivery of lifesaving aid in #Gaza. pic.twitter.com/Mf1Uv8QWVh
— Scottish Government International (@ScotGovInter) April 24, 2024
He told MSPs: “Since the last external affairs questions, the United Nations has concluded its review of the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNWRA) for Palestinians report, which has delivered aid in Gaza for the Scottish Government.
READ MORE: Israel yet to provide evidence of UNRWA staff terrorist links – independent report
“Germany is now resuming aid through UNRWA, joining the European Union and many others and we’d wish to put on record that we would call on the United Kingdom Government to follow the lead of Germany and help the people of Gaza.”
An independent review for the UN conducted by former French foreign minister Catherine Colonna, also found that UNRWA had regularly supplied Israel with lists of its employees for vetting, and that “the Israeli government has not informed UNRWA of any concerns relating to any UNRWA staff based on these staff lists since 2011”, The Guardian reported.
A UK Government spokesperson said: “Allegations that UNRWA staff were involved in the events that took place on October 7 in Israel are appalling, which is why we took decisive action to pause future funding to the organisation.
"The Prime Minister has been clear that the UK will set out its position on future funding to UNRWA following careful consideration of Catherine Colonna's final report, UNRWA’s response, and the ongoing UN Office for Internal Oversight Services investigation into these allegations."
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