The Balfour Project and CAABU (Council for Arab British Understanding) co-sponsored an event in the House of Commons on 13 July, hosted by David Jones MP (Conservative). Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General of UNRWA, spelt out what the UN Agency does to support Palestinian refugees – providing state-like services – and asked MPs to press our Government to restore to its previous level UK funding for UNRWA’s essential work in Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon.
Balfour Project Chair Andrew Whitley supported UNRWA’s plea, underlined Britain’s historic and continuing responsibilities in Palestine/Israel, and outlined our charity’s plans to develop our awareness-raising, educational and advocacy work here to advance equal rights for Palestinians and Israelis.
Chris Doyle welcomed this joint effort with the Balfour Project, and highlighted CAABU’s efforts with UK charity Medical Aid for Palestinians to enable Parliamentarians to see for themselves the stark realities on the ground. Anna McMorrin MP (Labour) described how her recent CAABU/MAP delegation visit had reinforced her determination to argue for change to the wrongly named “status quo” – actually a rapidly deteriorating and chronic injustice. Palestinian Ambassador Husam Zomlot thanked UNRWA for his own education in Gaza, and welcomed more fact-finding visits – the facts speak volumes.
Here are some photos from the event.
