We reject attempts to undermine or degrade UNRWA: UK statement at the UN General Assembly
Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward, 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.