David Lammy risked outrage this morning when announcing that UK taxpayers will resume funding the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), a body that tries to deliver aid to Gaza.
While the announcement sounds unassuming, it risks sparking outrage both in Britain and Israel.
The previous government suspended UK funding of UNRWA in January this year, after it emerged 12 members of staff had participated in the October 7th attack against Israel, which killed 1,140 people.
The UK’s suspension of funding to the body was matched by several other Western allies, including the US, Australia, Italy, Canada, Finland, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Germany.
This morning, new Foreign Secretary David Lammy said he would be reversing this decision and resume sending British taxpayer’s money to the UN aid body, despite ongoing concerns about its links to terrorism.
Mr Lammy told the Commons: “Humanitarian aid is a moral necessity in the face of such a catastrophe, and it is aid agencies who ensure UK support reaches civilians on the ground”.
“UNWRA is absolutely central to these efforts. No other agency can deliver aid at the scale needed. It’s already feeding over half of Gaza’s population and will be vital for future reconstruction.”
Mr Lammy said he was “appalled” by the allegations that UNRWA staff had been involved in the October 7 attacks, but argued the UN have been “reassured” that the body is now meeting the “highest standards of neutrality” and is strengthening its vetting procedures.
While the announcement was greeted by Jeremy Corbyn, it caused consternation among Tories.
Mr Holden fumed: “I am concerned by the Government’s decision to resume funding to the UNRWA. UNRWA schools have been repeatedly used by terrorists to both store weapons and launch attacks, and over 100 UNRWA staff have had links to terrorist groups in the region”.
“Is the rt hon. gentleman able to give UK taxpayers the unequivocal reassurance they need that Hamas has no links to UNRWA in Gaza?”
David Lammy said he was reassured by a conversation with France’s foreign secretary, who has continued to fund UNRWA.
Jeremy Corbyn’s Peace and Justice project said it welcomed David Lammy’s decision to resume funding of UNRWA, though added that the UK “must also suspend arms sales to Israel and immediately recognise the State of Palestine”.