19 January 2009
Post-ceasefire Gaza humanitarian appeal

In the wake of the interim ceasefire declarations by both Israel and Hamas, UNA-UK is supporting a special appeal by the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) to get basic supplies to the people of Gaza – especially the tens of thousands that have been made homeless by the violence.

Donate to the UN's Special Gaza Appeal by clicking here.

UNA-UK action on Gaza

24 January 2009
Letter to BBC Director-General

In this letter to BBC head Mark Thompson, UNA-UK Chair Lord Hannay writes that the broadcaster's decision not to air the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) Gaza humanitarian appeal is 'both incomprehensible and unsustainable'.

Click here to read the letter in full.

20 January
Lord Hannay takes up Gaza in the House of Lords

Lord Hannay has spoken repeatedly in debates on Gaza in the House of Lords. Today, in an exchange with Lord Malloch-Brown, he praised the work of UN humanitarian agencies such as UNRWA and asked whether Israel was cooperating with international inquiries, including over the alleged improper use of white phosphorous.

Click here to read the full exchange.

19 January
UNA-UK puts questions to Israeli UK ambassador

Lord Hannay, UNA-UK’s Chair, asked a series of questions of Ron Prosor, Israeli Ambassador to London, at a meeting in Parliament.

Lord Hannay raised a range of issues: attacks on UN school buildings in Gaza leading to substantial loss of life; attacks on UN humanitarian convoys leading to their suspension; and the use of white phosphorous in heavily populated areas. He asked the ambassador whether Israel would allow objective international inquiries into these incidents.

The ambassador expressed regret for the attacks on school buildings and humanitarian convoys. He did not comment on the use of white phosphorous. The ambassador stated that, since Israel did not believe international inquiries were reliable, his government would conduct its own inquiries into the incidents. These would be meticulous and thorough, he said.

6 January
UNA-UK Chair writes to the Foreign Secretary

UNA-UK Chair Lord Hannay wrote to the Foreign Secretary on 6 January to express UNA-UK’s deep concern at the hostilities in and around Gaza.

Condemning violence by all parties, Lord Hannay called on the UK government to redouble its efforts to bring about a ceasefire allowing full humanitarian access to the people of Gaza. He also called on the UK government to urge the incoming US administration to give the highest priority to the peaceful resolution of the range of issues in dispute by Israel and its Arab neighbours.

Click here to read Lord Hannay's letter.

Click here to read the reply from FCO MInister Bill Rammell.