Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Middle East Peace, Security and Development and UNRWA

15 June 2022 · 5 other contributors · 4,056 words

Opened by Sarah Champion Lab Rotherham

Responding minister: Vicky Ford

Foreign Affairs

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Sarah Champion raised concerns about middle east peace, security and development and unrwa in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • UK funding for UNRWA decreased from 42.5 million to 20.8 million since 2018.
  • UK provided 27 million to UNRWA in 2021, including 4.9 million for the Gaza conflict appeal.
  • UK support helps educate over 530,000 children and provides health services for 3.5 million Palestinian refugees annually.

Key requests to Government

I urge the Minister to provide a clear analysis of the impact of these funding cuts on UNRWA's ability to deliver essential services and stability in the region. Will the Government reinstate financial support to previous levels, encourage other potential donors to back UNRWA, and commit to a stable funding base for this crucial organisation?

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Sarah Champion Lab Rotherham

I am concerned about the plight of Palestinian refugees and the importance of a stable funding base for UNRWA. Despite its critical role in providing education, healthcare, and social services to over five million Palestinian refugees across Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon, UNRWA faces severe financial challenges due to significant cuts in UK funding. Since 2018, UK support has decreased by nearly 60%, with a halving of core budget contributions from £42.5 million to £20.8 million in the last year alone.

Other contributors (5)
  • Daniel Poulter

    The hon. Member highlights issues raised by the International Development Committee regarding arbitrary cuts to aid budgets affecting health and education, urging the Minister to reconsider these decisions. Thanking the Minister for giving way, emphasising the need to confirm that education and healthcare funding will be prioritised despite the challenges caused by the pandemic.

  • Gareth Thomas Lab Co-op Harrow West

    The hon. Friend supports the importance of UNRWA's work in reducing poverty and preventing hunger and joblessness in Palestinian territories, raising concern over its financial struggles and suggesting that the Minister should lead an international process to ensure adequate funding for UNRWA. Grateful for the hon. Member for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich provoking the Minister to give way, asking specifically if there will be ministerial representation from the UK at the pledging conference.

  • Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

    The hon. Member commends the speaker for her advocacy work, stressing the importance of the UN's impartiality in the region and urging caution against biased personal opinions from UN staff that could harm those seeking help.

  • Nigel Evans Ind Accrington

    The hon. Member emphasised the importance of addressing failures within UNRWA, acknowledging that while the organisation does amazing work, it is not perfect and must address issues such as sexual exploitation by staff.

  • Robert Largan Con High Peak

    The hon. Member expresses concerns about antisemitism and incitement to violence found in Palestinian Authority textbooks used by UNRWA, agreeing with the EU review findings and supporting the Government's stance on zero tolerance towards antisemitism. I agree with the hon. Member on some points but raised concerns about antisemitism in Palestinian Authority textbooks and the need for zero tolerance of hate crimes.

Government Response

Vicky Ford

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Ms McVey. I am grateful to the hon. Member for Rotherham for securing the debate, and for her work as Chair of her important Committee. The UK Government are long-standing supporters of UNRWA, providing over £27 million in 2021, including £4.9 million to the flash appeal following the Gaza conflict in May. Our support helps educate more than 530,000 children annually and provides critical health services for 3.5 million Palestinian refugees. The UK will be supporting and attending the pledging conference in New York on 23 June to ensure UNRWA's sustainability. The international development strategy prioritises women and girls, including access to healthcare and humanitarian aid. We urge all parties to drive for a durable solution for Gaza, stressing that restrictions on movement are damaging ordinary Palestinians' lives. Our programmes support the Palestinian Authority's capacity to provide essential services and improve infrastructure across the West Bank and Gaza. The UK does not fund textbooks in the OPTs but urges the PA to remove problematic content from its textbooks. We remain committed to a negotiated two-state solution, based on the 1967 borders with agreed land swaps, Jerusalem as the shared capital, and a just settlement for refugees.

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