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Press Release

14 December 2007

UK urges donor support for Palestinians

Douglas Alexander, the UK Secretary of State for International DevelopmentDouglas Alexander, the UK Secretary of State for International Development, today underlined the UK’s support for the Middle East Peace Process at the Paris donor conference. He announced a doubling of UK assistance, from some £30m in 2007 to £62m in 2008, as part of a three year aid package of up to £243m for the Palestinian Authority (PA).

On his visit to the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs) last week, Douglas Alexander met with President Abbas, Prime Minister Fayyad and Israeli Defence Minister Barak, as well as Palestinian businessmen and international organisations. He urged both sides to show courage and imagination in seizing the opportunity offered at Annapolis and the process it had started, as the best chance of progress in recent years.

He was also very concerned about the deteriorating humanitarian situation, especially in Gaza. The reduction of fuel supplies and Israel’s planned cuts in electricity risk gravely exacerbating the situation. Reopening the crossings will be a crucial first step in reviving Gaza’s economy.

At the conference, the Secretary of State said:

“It is crucial that the international community maintain the momentum started at Annapolis, and play its part by offering substantial financial as well as political support.

“The UK has already pledged up to £243 million over three years, dependent on both parties taking action on the ground that will make any increase in aid effective.

“A lasting resolution to the conflict will ultimately depend on brave choices and long term commitment from both Israel and the Palestinian Authority. Important first steps will be for the Palestinian Authority to implement its reform agenda, and for Israel to reduce the movement and access restrictions in the West Bank and Gaza. These are having a disastrous effect on the economic and humanitarian situation in the area, and easing them would provide a clear signal of Israel’s commitment to peace.”

In Paris, Prime Minister Salam Fayyad asked the international community to provide the $5.6 billion needed to fund the Palestinian Reform and Development Plan. The PA is facing a budget deficit of $1.6 billion in 2008.

On 14 November, the British Prime Minister Gordon Brown announced to Parliament that the UK would provide up to £243 million (c.$500m) over three years in aid to the Palestinians, if the conditions existed for aid to have an impact. The UK is already a significant donor in the OPTs, having given more than £450 million since the start of the Oslo peace process. This month DFID paid £3 million to the PA to help pay its debts to the Palestinian private sector.

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Notes to Editors

  1. The Donor Conference is being held in Paris on 17 December. President Sarkozy opened the conference, which is being chaired by France. The Norwegian Foreign Minister, the EC and Tony Blair will be co-presidents. The US will be represented by Secretary of State Rice, the UN by Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, and the EC by Commissioner for External Relations Ferrero-Waldner. The UK delegation will be headed by the Douglas Alexander, accompanied by Michael Williams, the UK’s Special Representative for the Middle East.
  2. Details of UK support can be found at www.dfid.gov.uk/countries/asia/palestine.asp
  3. The closure of crossings has had a disastrous effect on the Gazan economy. The UN reports that up to 80,000 people have lost their jobs in Gaza as the manufacturing industry has all but closed down. 80% of Gazans depend on food handouts from the UN. On 30 November, the Israeli Supreme Court endorsed fuel reductions, but suspended electricity cuts until the Government could provide better monitoring of the humanitarian effect of such cuts. In addition to providing humanitarian support, the UK stands ready to help financially in getting Gaza’s crossings working again

 

If you are a member of the media and would like more information please call the DFID press office on 00 44 20 7023 0620 or e-mail pressoffice@dfid.gov.uk. If you are a member of the public please contact our Public Enquiry Point on 0845 300 4100.

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