ActionAid responds to UNRWA funding being restored in Gaza.
Julia Rosell Jackson, Senior Humanitarian Advocacy Adviser – Women's Rights at ActionAid UK, said:
“We are pleased to see the UK government acknowledge UNRWA as a vital lifeline in Gaza and take the long overdue step of restoring funding to it. As the largest humanitarian actor in Gaza, it is uniquely placed to support the 2.2million Palestinians trapped in the territory who are at high risk of famine and rely on aid to survive.
“Yet while it provides aid with one hand, the UK continues to sell arms to the Israeli Government with the other – even amid mounting reports that the Israeli military has potentially acted illegally and committed violence against women and girls in Gaza. The Government must resolve this glaring contradiction and halt arms sales to the Israeli Government immediately, as well as follow its own recommendation by publishing any legal advice regarding the Israeli Government’s compliance with international humanitarian law. It must also drop the legal challenge lodged by the previous government in the ICC’s case against the Israeli Government and allow the court to pursue justice unhindered.
“With the catastrophic humanitarian crisis in Gaza deepening by the day, the UK must do everything in its power to secure a permanent ceasefire and free the remaining hostages – including by imposing sanctions, such as travel bans and asset freezes on Israeli officials linked to alleged violations of international humanitarian law. The starving and beleaguered population of Gaza can’t wait any longer.”
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