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FCO RESPOND TO NICK'S LOBBYING OVER GAZA RELIEF

February 3, 2010 9:48 AM

Following Nick's protests about the Egyptians halting relief into Gaza, Foreign Office Minister Ivan Lewis responds: "We strongly agree that delivering aid to Gaza is important work, but it is reckless to travel to Gaza at present and any medical and other essential specialist staff needing to travel to Gaza should co-ordinate their entry to Gaza with the major international humanitarian organisations already on the ground.

"Our travel advice makes it clear that we advise against all travel to Gaza, including its offshore waters. When UK based humanitarian organisations, despite this advice, wish to approach the local authorities about access to Gaza, we consider providing British Nationals with a letter setting out our advice against travel and informing the Egyptian authorities that we have done or so.

"The Foreign and Commonwealth Office was in close touch with the Egyptians authorities and the Viva Palestina organiser throughout the convoy's journey including its entry into and departure from Gaza and the participants' passage out of Egypt.

"The UK is providing as much practical support as possible to alleviate humanitarian suffering in Gaza. Following the January conflict we pledged £26.8 million to the people of Gaza for humanitarian aid and early recovery activities, of which £21 million has already been given to charities and aid agencies in Gaza. On 28 December the UK pledged an additional £5 million to pay UN relief workers."

Nick concludes, "The UK need to do more to pressure the Egyptian Government to stop disrupting aid convoys, also the level of official aid granted to Gaza is notably very low considering conditions in Gaza City. The role of Hamas should not blind the British Government to the plight of the average Palestinian."

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