LONDON: The UK’s Middle East minister has warned that Israel’s status as a democracy would be “deeply harmed” if the Knesset proceeded with a bill to cut all cooperation with the UN Relief and Works Agency, it was reported on Sunday.
Speaking at a London conference hosted by the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, Hamish Falconer highlighted the growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, calling Israel’s potential decision “neither in Israel’s interest nor realistic.”
Falconer’s statements mark the strongest criticism from a Western official regarding the potential legislation, which is anticipated to reach a vote in the Knesset this week unless Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu intervenes.
The UK, along with six other European foreign ministries, have jointly urged Israel to drop the bill, emphasizing in a statement: “It is crucial that UNRWA and other UN organizations be fully able to deliver humanitarian aid and their assistance to those who need it most, fulfilling their mandates effectively.”
Falconer’s concern extended to the restrictions on aid entering Gaza, and he stressed the impact on civilian lives amid Israeli military operations, The Guardian reported.
“We are deeply concerned by legislation currently under consideration by the Israeli Knesset which would critically undermine UNRWA,” he said.
“Given the agency’s vital role in delivering aid and essential services at a time when more aid should be getting into Gaza, it is deeply harmful to Israel’s international reputation as a democratic country that its lawmakers are taking steps that would make the delivery of food, water, medicines, and healthcare more difficult.”
The UK minister, who recently visited the Egypt-Gaza border, described harrowing scenes, including “thousands of trucks waiting to cross … warehouses full of life-saving items — medical equipment, sleeping bags, and tarpaulin for the winter.”
He also noted that the level of aid “getting in is far too low,” with humanitarian convoys facing repeated attacks and significant blockages.
Falconer also raised concerns about Israel’s military approach in Gaza, calling for a balance between pursuing Hamas and protecting civilians.
“Hamas is a brutal terrorist organization, it hides behind Gazan civilians, but all parties must do everything possible to protect civilians and fully respect international humanitarian law,” he told the conference. “The Israeli government must take all necessary precautions to avoid civilian casualties, to ensure aid can flow into Gaza, and freely through all humanitarian land routes.”
Amid escalating tensions, Falconer advised “calmer heads to prevail,” while former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, addressing the conference via video link, emphasized that “Hamas cannot be allowed to continue to govern Gaza.”
Blair advocated for the establishment of a new governance structure, adding: “Israel will need to pull back to allow the development of a different governance structure for Gaza that would then enable reconstruction to take place.”
Polls commissioned by the Tony Blair Institute, he shared, indicate that many residents favor international oversight and ties to the Palestinian Authority, with strong support for reform of the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank.
