Source · Select Committees · Foreign Affairs Committee
Recommendation 20
20
Accepted
Participate in multilateral peace process, supporting reconstruction and UN agencies in Gaza and West Bank.
Recommendation
A key component of the UK’s policy in support of a two-state solution must be participation in the reconstruction of Gaza and areas of the West Bank that have been rendered uninhabitable by military action. Institution building requires physical infrastructure as well as investment in human capital, especially education and healthcare. However, major funders in the region like Saudi Arabia are not willing to make large outlays for this until there is a secure peace, and securing peace will have to include a pathway to a Palestinian state, as no other proposal for a long-term peace is realistic. The Government should participate in the multilateral peace process, using the UK expertise in areas like peacebuilding and governance, and including supporting UN agencies’ work on education and healthcare, while encouraging others to begin discussions on reconstruction as this gives hope for the future in Gaza and the West Bank. (Recommendation, Paragraph 101)
Government Response Summary
The government agrees, stating it has been working with partners on Gaza's future and reconstruction. It is exploring financing mechanisms, will co-chair a Wilton Park conference on private sector investment, and supports UN agencies' work on healthcare and education.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The Government agrees with this recommendation. The UK has been working closely with our international and regional partners to build consensus on Gaza’s future security and governance arrangements, in addition to planning for early recovery and reconstruction. With our French, German and Italian partners, the UK welcomed the Arab initiative of a reconstruction plan for Gaza and encouraged others to build on its merits as a starting point. The UK has been working with Arab partners to mobilise international support for the Arab Plan, through building international consensus on the outstanding security and governance elements required to enable its implementation. We are continuing to do so with our E4 and Arab partners in support of US efforts, particularly the 20 point plan announced by President Trump on September 29 to end the war in Gaza on a lasting basis. The UK is also exploring how to scale up financing mechanisms for reconstruction. We will be co-chairing a Wilton Park conference with the Palestinian Authority and Egypt to explore innovative financing mechanisms to scale up private sector investment. The UK is already convening G7+ partners to coordinate international efforts and promote effective donor support. The UK is also a steadfast supporter of the work of UN agencies on healthcare and education, including UNRWA, UNICEF and UNFPA. Recommendation 21