Statement by Ambassador , UK Permanent
Representative to the UN, at the UN General Assembly meeting on
UNRWA.
As my Prime Minister has said, we are gravely concerned by the
UNRWA bills that Israel's Knesset has passed.
We unequivocally reject attempts to undermine or degrade UNRWA.
UNRWA has a mandate from this body, which represents 193 Member
States of the UN. It is the backbone of the humanitarian response
in Gaza, and a lifeline for hundreds of thousands of civilians
there, as well as in the West Bank and in the wider region.
Last week, leaders across all agencies and pillars of the
humanitarian community described the unfolding situation in Gaza
as “apocalyptic”. They also warned that the unthinkable hardship
that millions of civilians are already facing in Gaza is set to
get even worse as winter approaches.
They made it clear that only UNRWA can provide basic services and
deliver humanitarian aid at the scale and pace needed to meet
those challenges.
President, Israel is responsible for ensuring aid reaches
civilians in Gaza, and we expect them to abide by their legal
obligations and ensure UNRWA can continue its lifesaving
work.
We have made these views very clear to Israel, both in public
alongside our international partners, and in our private
discussions. My Prime Minister has made clear that there can be
no more excuses from Israel when it comes to humanitarian
aid.
President, the UK remains a strong supporter of UNRWA. We pay
tribute to UNRWA staff who continue to work in dire and dangerous
circumstances, including over 200 who have lost their lives in
this conflict.
The serious allegations against UNRWA staff earlier this year
were fully investigated and acted upon; they offer no
justification for cutting ties with the agency. Rather, we must
come together to support UNRWA to deliver important reforms,
which can further strengthen their commitment to neutrality.
That is why this year, the UK has committed $27 million to the
agency with $1.2 million of this directly assisting the
implementation of Catherine Colonna's recommendations.
The United Kingdom is clear. UNRWA is indispensable. No
organisation can replace or substitute its capacity to deliver
basic trade services and life-saving humanitarian assistance in
Gaza or its mandate to serve Palestinian refugees.
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