PRESS RELEASE : International Labour Organization Governing Body – UK Statement [March 2024]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 13 March 2024.

Statement on report on crisis-related ILO work in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. Delivered by the UK’s Permanent Representative to the WTO and UN, Simon Manley.

Thank you Chair, dear brother, for giving me the floor.

1. Let me start by focusing our thoughts on all Palestinians and Israelis who have suffered or have seen loved ones killed. We are shocked by the sheer scale of people killed and the loss of livelihoods of both Israeli and Palestinians, including workers and employers.
2. Let’s recall that Israel suffered the worst terror attack in its history on 7th October at the hands of Hamas, and Palestinian civilians are facing a devastating and growing humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.
3. Like so many others here, we want the fighting to stop now.
4. In our view, the best way to achieve a sustainable, permanent ceasefire – without a return to further destruction, further fighting and further loss of life – is to start with an immediate pause and agreements to get aid in and hostages out.
5. The UK wants to open all routes and crossings into Gaza. There is a desperate and immediate need for increased humanitarian support in Gaza. The UK itself has trebled its aid commitment this financial year.
6. The UK thanks the Director General and the ILO for their vital engagement. And we note the ILO report on ‘crisis-related ILO work in the Occupied Palestinian Territory’. We commend, in particular, the ILO’s staff who are implementing the emergency response programme under immensely challenging circumstances. Both Palestinian and Israeli labour markets have been gravely affected by the crisis and in Gaza there is clearly no effective economy operating.
7. Like others here, we support a two-state solution that guarantees security, stability and sovereignty for both the Israeli and Palestinian people. The UK and our partners will continue to help by confirming our commitment to a sovereign, viable Palestinian state, including recognition at the UN, and our vision for its composition.
8. Chair, in these difficult and dividing times, we must all strive for consensus to ensure that the ILO’s vital emergency response programme is unimpeded, and the people of Gaza receive this much needed support that they deserve.

Thank you, Chair.