First 100 days: Steps the UK government must take to address the catastrophe in Gaza
Today, 20 NGOs have shared a 100-day plan with the new UK government to address urgent issues and lay the groundwork for long-term solutions in Gaza and the West Bank.
By presenting this 100-day plan, these UK humanitarian, development, human rights and faith-based agencies welcome the opportunity to work with new Ministers to urgently reset UK government policy towards Gaza and the West Bank.
The plan outlines the immediate, short-term and mid-term actions the UK government should also take to support Palestinian-led recovery, uphold international law and rebuild the UK’s international standing.
Recognising the new government’s commitments for an urgent ceasefire, the upholding of International Humanitarian Law, the safe release of all hostages and a rapid increase in humanitarian assistance, urges a fundamental reset of policies pursued by the previous government.
The new UK government has a crucial opportunity to act to prevent genocide, as the International Court of Justice has found a plausible risk. The UK has a moral and ethical responsibility to protect populations at risk of atrocity crimes, along with well-established legal obligations to prevent such crimes.
Unlike the previous government, which supported Israel’s military actions in Gaza and failed to acknowledge the root causes of violence across Gaza and the West Bank, the new government must take a different path. Diplomatic backing and ongoing arms sales have put the UK at risk of complicity in serious violations of international law.
Nicola Banks, Advocacy Lead at Action for Humanity, said:
The new UK government needs to take the plausible risk of genocide against the Palestinian people, as was found by the ICJ, extremely seriously. The devastating number of Palestinian civilians killed, the physical destruction of hospitals, schools and other civilian infrastructure, and the ongoing denial of life-saving assistance demand urgent attention that can no longer be kicked down the road.
We need strong diplomatic pressure to end the relentless bombardment and lift restrictions on humanitarian aid delivery. An urgent surge in humanitarian operational support, including to UNRWA, is vital. Our colleagues need to know they are safe to do their life-saving work. We must also mainstream protection, international law, and atrocity prevention at the heart of our policies and address the ongoing occupation. Ignoring the roots of violence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory jeopardises future peace efforts. Now is the time for meaningful change.
ENDS.
Notes for editors
- Bond is the UK network for organisations working in international development. Bond unites and supports a diverse network of over 350 civil society organisations from across the UK, and allies to help eradicate global poverty, inequality and injustice.
- Read Bond’s latest blog questioning whether ‘aid washing’ is holding back peacebuilding and development in Gaza.
- Read Bond’s statement on Bond statement on the potential escalation between Israel-Hezbollah.
- For further information, please contact Jess Salter, Media Adviser at Bond at [email protected] or call 07493200979
