I have campaigned for justice for Palestine from a young age and have spoken out in Parliament at every opportunity. The recent news that the Department of International Development (DFID) has cut funding to the UN Relief Works Agency (UNRWA) by 17% has left me concerned and angry.
Last week I spoke with the UNRWA Commissioner General, Pierre Krähenbühl, to discuss the cut and the reconstruction of Gaza following the most recent conflict. UNRWA provides critical assistance and protection for 5 million registered Palestine refugees with in health care, education and social services provision. As Shadow Minister for International Development I recognise the critical role played by UNRWA across the region and fear the wider impact and implications of cutting aid given the worsening crisis in Syria, the humanitarian situation facing almost half a million Palestinians in Lebanese refugee camps, as well as responding to the reconstruction and human cost of the latest conflict in Gaza.
I also spoke with Sir Vincent Fean, the former British Consulate General to Palestine, to discuss what he saw as priorities for the region.
Over six months on from ‘Operation Protective Edge’ and everyday conditions for Palestinians in Gaza remain crippling:
At the Cairo Conference last year, the current UK Government pledged £21 million to support the global effort for the reconstruction of Gaza; but so far has only disbursed £7 million. My Labour colleagues and I have asked the Government to expedite the funds, but have yet to see any action. The tardy reluctance of this Government (and others) to deliver on its commitment has resulted in a worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza, including some Palestinians literally freezing to death over the winter. The international community cannot allow these atrocious conditions to continue.
Twenty one years since Oslo and both sides are further from peace and security than ever before – with more illegal settlements, an illegal separation barrier, increased restrictions on Palestinians’ freedom of movement accompanied by economic decline and increased humanitarian challenges.
It is not enough so simply say that we are committed to peace in the region, we need to do more to support justice and human rights, through the rule of international law.
I am proud that the Labour Party supported the Palestinian bid for Statehood at the UN in both 2011 and 2012 – while the UK Government abstained. I am proud that the Labour Party forced a debate in the House of Commons in October 2014 and Labour MPs turned out in force to commit the UK Government to recognising the State of Palestine.
I will continue to speak out against the manmade injustice inflicted on the Palestinians, to end the illegal blockade of Gaza, the illegal expropriation of Palestinian land in the West Bank and the restrictions on Palestinian movement and access to their own lands and natural resources and to support the basic freedoms and human rights of Palestinians.