Source · Select Committees · Foreign Affairs Committee
Recommendation 21
21
Deferred
Support the Palestinian Authority in building its capacity for the Palestinian people and donors.
Recommendation
As institution-building is an area where the UK has expertise, the Government should support the Palestinian Authority to build its capacity, which would be in the best interests of both the Palestinian people and foreign donors. (Recommendation, Paragraph 107)
Government Response Summary
The government's response for this recommendation (Paragraph 107, concerning capacity building for the Palestinian Authority) instead addresses a different recommendation (Paragraph 123) regarding support for evidence collection for international criminal courts in Gaza.
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
The Government agrees with this recommendation. A reformed Palestinian Authority (PA) is essential to long-term stability in the region and making progress towards a two-state solution. The UK offers its full support to President Mahmoud Abbas, who recently visited the UK on 8 September, and Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa as the PA delivers its vital reform agenda, which includes advancing concrete measures on democratic renewal, widening civic space, enhancing accountability and transparency, improving service delivery and financial sustainability, and fighting corruption. A portion of the UK’s £116 million Overseas Development Assistance to the Occupied Palestinian Territories this financial year is being allocated to support governance reform and institutional strengthening within the Palestinian Authority in support of this reform agenda. The UK Envoy for Palestinian Authority Governance, Sir Michael Barber, is working closely with the Palestinian Authority to increase its delivery capacity. During his UK visit on 28 April 2025, Prime Minister Mustafa and the then Foreign Secretary signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), enshrining our commitment to advancing Palestinian statehood as part of a two-state solution. Conclusions and recommendation 22–24