Today the International Development Committee has published a
report on Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
In the report, the cross-party committee of MPs says the
Government “must do all it can” to ensure the United Nations
Relief and Works Agency for Palestinians (UNRWA) is permitted to
continue its mandate, ahead of a planned ban by Israel which is
due to come into effect at the end of January.
The report was agreed prior to the announcement of a ceasefire
deal between Israel and Hamas. The agreement is set to come into
effect on Sunday as long as it is approved by Israel's cabinet,
according to the Qatari Prime Minister, whose government had been
mediating the deal.
MPs conclude that if UNRWA is banned without a replacement
arranged, the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the West Bank
could deteriorate rapidly, possibly irreparably, almost certainly
leading to further conflict and displacement.
They recommend that the government pressure Israel to lay out
immediately its plans to deliver services currently supplied by
UNRWA. It also recommends the UK lead on a co-ordinated motion at
the United Nations, setting out clear and enforceable
consequences should Israel undermine the UNRWA mandate.
Notwithstanding the potential for a ceasefire to be agreed this
week, the Committee also recommends that the Government describe
the removal of Palestinians from their land as “forcible
transfer”, prohibited by the Fourth Geneva Convention, rather
than simply “displacement”.
It says the Government must work with allies to demand an end to
Israel's forcible transfer of Palestinians and seek legal redress
for Israel's actions at international courts. This should include
accountability for settlers who illegally encroach on Palestinian
land, the bodies running the settlements and any figures in
authority who support, encourage and authorise settlers.
The Committee also raises concerns that Israel's expansion of
settlements in the West Bank makes the recognition of a
Palestinian state impossible to achieve. It calls on the
Government to set out the steps it will take to recognise the
state of Palestine, including the conditions that need to be met
and a timeline of planned actions.
Sarah Champion, Chair of the International Development
Committee, said:
“Our Committee has been profoundly shocked by the evidence we
have heard on Israel's actions in the Occupied Palestinian
Territory. While news of a ceasefire is encouraging, the
situation on the ground in Gaza and the West Bank remains
alarming.
“The Government should do everything in its power to dissuade
Israel from going ahead with its ban on UNRWA. Israel's proposed
ban on UNRWA would prevent aid distribution in Gaza, devastate
Palestinian livelihoods and send disruptive ripples throughout
the Middle East.
“Moreover, the International Court of Justice has described
demolitions of Palestinian property and confiscation of land
“forcible transfer”, not “displacement”. Words matter. The
Government should adopt that definition and sanction those who
lead and encourage settlers to illegal encroach on Palestinian
land.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
The conclusions and recommendations in the Report are drawn from
public and private evidence taken by both the new International
Development Committee and its predecessor Committee in the last
Parliament.
Sources include oral evidence sessions, visits to the Al-Arish
crossing in Egypt, East Jerusalem and the West Bank, and publicly
available statements and rulings of international courts.
Committee Chair Sarah Champion recently wrote to
Foreign Secretary regarding Israel's planned ban
of UNRWA.
The Committee also recently launched related inquiries into
adherence to international
humanitarian law and the FCDO's approach to
displaced people.
