Foreign Secretary David Lammy confirmed on Friday that the UK government will resume funding for UNRWA, the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees in Gaza. In a statement to the House of Commons, Lammy announced that Britain will provide £21 million in new funds to the agency.
The decision comes after the UK, along with other nations, had suspended funding to UNRWA over allegations that some employees had supported Hamas following the October 7 attacks last year. Lammy told parliament he was reassured that the agency had taken steps to "ensure it meets the highest standards of neutrality."
"UNRWA is absolutely central to these efforts. No other agency can deliver aid at the scale needed," Lammy said, noting that the agency is already feeding over half of Gaza's population.
The foreign secretary also condemned the recent Houthi attack on Tel Aviv and reaffirmed the UK's support for Israel's right to defend itself.
The restoration of funding follows similar moves by Japan, the European Union, and Norway. The United States now remains the only country that has not yet restored funding to UNRWA.
Lammy acknowledged the seriousness of the allegations against UNRWA staff but stated that the UN had taken these claims seriously. He mentioned speaking with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini, and expressed confidence in the agency's efforts to strengthen its procedures and neutrality.
The decision has met with mixed reactions. The Board of Deputies appeared critical, suggesting the government would be "wise to insist on much stricter oversight." StandWithUs UK, an Israel educational charity, expressed "profound concern and disappointment" at the move, citing allegations of UNRWA staff involvement in activities against Israelis.
Lammy also used his statement to call for an immediate ceasefire and the release of hostages, while clarifying that he would never equate the actions of Israel with those of Hamas.
The foreign secretary indicated that the Labour government would be considering proscribing Iran's IRGC organization in the coming months, in response to a question from the Conservative shadow minister.
* Jewish News contributed to this article.