MPs and Peers joined the Palestinian Ambassador yesterday in Parliament to discuss Labour’s continued effort to fight for an end to conflict in Gaza, including the Foreign Secretary’s recent announcement that the UK has ended the previous government’s funding pause to the UN Palestine relief agency UNRWA, the key aid delivery body operating in Gaza.
Britain’s £21 million will provide lifesaving aid in Gaza and basic services to Palestinian refugees in the West Bank and wider region. I welcome this announcement and spoke about the need to ensure that alongside this, local raised aid donations reach Gaza to help those affected by this horrendous conflict, a point reinforced by Oldham Council leader Arooj Shah at the event.
Labour proved in opposition our commitment to those suffering in the conflict and the work of Labour Friends of Palestine has been important. This includes my multiple parliamentary interventions since October 2023 which focused on humanitarian aid and concern over the offensive into Rafah; other interventions which date back to 2018 highlighting the importance of getting to a peaceful two-state solution; Labour’s successful motion which brought about support in Parliament for a ceasefire back in February; and in meetings with the Palestinian Ambassador in May.
Now in government, Labour is again acting on its commitment to ending the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, ensuring the release of hostages, and understanding that the recognition of a Palestinian state is the foundation of a lasting two-state solution.
For further information, head to https://www.gov.uk/…/news/uk-to-restart-funding-to-unrwa.
Jim McMahon OBE MP 