UK government should take a clear, principled position
Posted: 15th May 2025
In light of the mounting humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza and the imminent rollout of the US and Israeli backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), we believe it is critical that the UK government takes a clear, principled position. The BPP briefing note, accessible at our substack here, sets out, GHF’s model, based on militarised aid hubs and private contractors, undermines humanitarian law and excludes vital health, education, and shelter services previously provided by UNRWA. It risks normalising the use of aid as a coercive tool, while sidelining trusted UN agencies and Palestinian civil society.
The briefing outlines six urgent policy recommendations for the UK government, including:
- Maintaining full support for UN and locally embedded humanitarian delivery;
- Opposing the privatisation and militarisation of aid under the GHF model;
- Backing a technocratic Palestinian Authority-led transition;
- Working closely with France, Saudi Arabia and Egypt to secure coordinated, rules-based access at Rafah;
- Implementing a full UK embargo on arms sales, dual-use exports and intelligence sharing with Israel.
- Recognising the State of Palestine now on pre-June 1967 lines, consistent with the July 2024 Advisory Opinion of the ICJ
The UK’s record of supporting multilateral humanitarian principles gives it a unique opportunity to lead. We hope this briefing contributes to the ongoing policy discussion and urge its consideration in Parliament and Whitehall.
With best wishes,
Andrew Whitley
Chair, Britain Palestine Project