Dear Victoria Prentis,
This is the only the third time I have written to you. I write now concerning what is by far the most important current issue to me, which will definitely be deciding my vote in the next election.
On January 26th, the International Court of Justice ruled that South Africa has a good case for charging Israel with genocide of the Palestinian people.
As I'm sure you're aware, under the genocide convention, all signatories (Britain included) are required to intervene to prevent any genocide they observe from happening. More directly, in the ICJ's ruling of provisional measures on January 26th, they specifically called on said signatories, along with Israel, to ensure that humanitarian assistance is provided to Gazans.
The United Nation's Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) is by far the single most important organisation providing such humanitarian aid to Gazans effected by the horrifying crisis in Gaza, and it was able to do this in large part due to Britain's support.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has specifically demonised the agency and stated Israel's wish for it to stop operating.
Coincidentally, on the same day as the ICJ ruling, Israel released a claim to have evidence that 12 members of UNRWA were involved in the atrocities on October 7th. In response to this allegation, Britain and America withdrew their funding for UNWRA in its entirety, with over 30,000 staff. Britain withdrew roughly £70 million of funding.
This are all recent facts of which you're probably already aware.
I'm writing to you now because of today's Channel 4 news report[1], where they examined Israel's evidence for this accusation. They found no single piece of credible evidence against these UNWRA members.
By defunding the UNRWA at this time, Britain is very likely to be in breach of direct instructions from the International Court of Justice to protect humanitarian aid to Gazans, and therefore be legally complicit in the most significant genocide of this century. Even though to defund a 30,000-strong humanitarian organisation based on the actions of 12 people was already unjustifiable, even this now turns out to be based on no credible evidence at all. (UNRWA gives Israeli intelligence the opportunity to reject any and all new hires).
As my representative in parliament, I humbly request that you insist your government immediately reinstate Britain's funding for UNRWA.
Yours most sincerely, Robin