UNRWA must continue its vital work, says UK parliamentary report on occupied Palestinian territory, citing humanitarian catastrophe
20 January 2025
Summary of the report and recommendations
The report by the UK parliamentary International Development Committee* provides a critical examination of the humanitarian and legal dimensions of the ongoing situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT). It outlines urgent concerns and actionable recommendations for the UK Government in addressing the conflict between Israel and Palestine, particularly regarding international law and the role of the UK in promoting a fair resolution.
The Balfour Project, which advocates justice and equality for all people in the region, endorses and supports the report’s key themes.
Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
The report highlights the catastrophic humanitarian conditions in Gaza, exacerbated by the 2023 Israel-Hamas conflict. Minimal aid reaches the region, with only 42 trucks per day permitted, far below the 500 trucks required to meet basic needs. The blockade has left over 14,000 Gazans in critical need of medical evacuation, and accusations of indiscriminate targeting of civilians, including children, have been substantiated by eyewitness testimonies and reports from international bodies.
The Committee calls on the UK Government to:
- Press Israel to allow sufficient humanitarian aid into Gaza.
- Address alleged breaches of international humanitarian law, including the use of starvation as a weapon of war.
The Balfour Project supports these actions and emphasises that the humanitarian crisis must be addressed in line with the UK’s historical responsibilities to the region.
Forcible Transfer and Settlements
The report condemns Israel’s policies of property destruction, military assaults and state-backed settler violence in the West Bank. Between 2023 and 2024, over 1,800 Palestinian structures were destroyed, displacing thousands. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has classified such actions as violations of the Fourth Geneva Convention, describing them as “forcible transfer,” not merely displacement.
The Committee recommends that:
- The UK formally adopts the terminology of “forcible transfer.”
- Legal accountability be pursued against those enabling illegal settlements.
- Greater diplomatic pressure be applied to halt settlement expansion.
The Balfour Project echoes these recommendations.
UNRWA’s Role and Challenges
The report warns of the severe consequences if the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) is prevented from operating in the OPT because of new Israeli legislation. UNRWA plays an irreplaceable role in providing education, healthcare, and food aid to millions of Palestinian refugees. Without its services, the humanitarian situation could deteriorate irreparably. The report notes that the Israel law is due to come into effect on 30tJan.
The Committee understands that the four principal effects of the laws are a prohibition on “contact” between any Israeli state authority and UNRWA or anyone acting on UNRWA’s behalf; a prohibition on UNRWA activities in East Jerusalem; a reservation of the right to bring criminal proceedings against UNRWA staff; and the termination of the Exchange of Letters between Israel and UNRWA from 14 June 1967 (the “Comay-Michelmore Exchange of Letters”).
There have been reports that the Trump administration is considering temporarily moving some Palestinians from Gaza to Indonesia and some activists have been lobbying to use the end of UNRWA as the means of depriving fourth and subsequent generations of Palestinians of their refugee status. Hear Vincent Fern on UNWRA in the Podcast here and see Andrew Whitley on the role of the UN and UNWRA in the Podcast here
Key recommendations include:
- Ensuring UNRWA’s mandate is upheld.
- Collaborating with allies to counter Israel’s obstruction of UNRWA activities.
- Developing a contingency plan to mitigate service disruption.
The Balfour Project stresses that undermining UNRWA violates international obligations and exacerbates the suffering of Palestinian refugees. We stand with UNWRA Commissioner-General, Philippe Lazzarini who stated on 17 Jan 2024:
“A ceasefire is only a starting point. UNRWA is ready to support the international response by scaling up aid delivery. We are ready to support the recovery of Gaza by resuming education and continuing to provide primary healthcare. I warned that in less than two weeks, the Knesset legislation to end UNRWA’s operations in the oPt will enter into force. Full implementation will be catastrophic. In Gaza, it will massively weaken the international humanitarian response. This will immeasurably worsen already catastrophic living conditions. The Government of Israel claims that UNRWA’s services can be transferred to other entities. In fact, the Agency’s mandate and capacity to provide public-like services to an entire population are unique. UNRWA’s ability to directly provide education and primary healthcare far exceeds that of any other entity. These services can only be transferred to a functioning State. UNRWA’s personnel and services are also tightly woven into the social fabric of Gaza. The disintegration of the Agency will intensify the breakdown of social order.”
Recognition of Palestinian Statehood
The report criticises successive UK Governments for delaying recognition of Palestinian statehood, a move seen as vital for achieving a two-state solution. Without this recognition, ongoing settlement expansion may render such a solution unattainable.
The Committee urges the Government to:
- Outline a timeline and conditions for recognising a Palestinian state.
- Commit to this recognition as part of a peace-building framework.
As the Balfour Declaration promised equal rights to the non-Jewish communities in Palestine, as the UN resolutions supporting creating the State of Israel required a Palestinian right of return, the Balfour Project views state recognition as a moral and political imperative.
Accountability and International Law
The report documents Israel’s consistent dismissal of international legal rulings and its failure to adhere to obligations under the Geneva Conventions. Allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity, including genocide, are under investigation by international courts. The UK is urged to:
- Collaborate with global allies to ensure Israel respects international law.
- Work towards an end to the occupation of Palestinian territories.
- Demand accountability for breaches of humanitarian norms.
The Balfour Project emphasises that maintaining the rule of international law is essential for sustainable peace and justice in the region.
We would further urge the Attorney General to publish his legal advice on the Advisory Opinion on the risk of the perpetration of genocide and outline the obligatory responses the UK Government should make.
Economic Stability and Correspondent Banking
The report addresses the fragility of the Palestinian economy, tied closely to correspondent banking relations with Israeli financial institutions. Threats to terminate these relations could cause severe economic shocks, affecting essential imports like food and fuel.
Recommendations include:
- Stabilising correspondent banking relations through international pressure.
- Advocating for fair economic policies that promote Palestinian development.
The Balfour Project believes that economic stability is foundational for fostering peace and dignity for Palestinians.
Conclusions
The report’s conclusions and recommendations reflect a commitment to justice, human rights, and adherence to international law. However, they also expose gaps in the UK Government’s response and urgency in addressing these issues. The Balfour Project calls on the UK to take a leading role in resolving the conflict, leveraging its historical responsibilities and international influence. The recommendations must translate into immediate actions to halt further suffering and build a foundation for lasting peace.