ROSS Greer has said that the UK Government's decision to temporarily suspend funding to the UN’s relief agency is "in direct contradiction" with the recent ICJ ruling.
The Foreign Office said on Saturday that it was “appalled” by Israeli allegations that a number of employees at the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) were involved in Hamas’s October 7 attack.
A spokesperson said the UK will temporarily pause support as a result, while a review takes place.
The Scottish Greens MSP slammed the decision, however, saying it will “never be the answer” to take actions that will make the “already catastrophic” humanitarian situation in Gaza worse.
The relief agency has played a key role in providing aid for the enclave’s population amid the humanitarian disaster caused by Israel’s war on Gaza.
READ MORE: Scottish Government issues response after UK pauses UNRWA funding
Greer suggested that there were double standards with the decision against UNRWA compared with the UK Government's reaction to the ICJ ruling on Friday, in which Israel was told to take all measures within its power to prevent genocide.
He explained: "This week the International Court of Justice found against Israel, ordering them to stop acts of genocide and provide humanitarian access to Gaza.
"Yet the only action the UK government has taken in response is to cease funding for the UN aid agency providing a lifeline to Palestinian civilians.”
Greer then asked that if this “standard” is being applied to UNRWA, “why does the same standard not apply to an Israeli government whose National Security Minister (Itamar Ben-Gvir) is a convicted terrorist?”
Israel’s Ben-Gvir was previously convicted for possessing a “terror” organisation’s propaganda material and supporting a “terror” organisation – the Kach group, an extremist movement that advocated for the forceful expulsion of all Palestinians from Israel and the occupied territories.
"Those who target civilians must be brought to justice, whether they work for Hamas, Israel, or anyone else,” Greer said.
“But actions that will make the already catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza worse, in direct contradiction of the ICJ ruling, will never be the answer."
The Scottish Government, meanwhile, said that they are "deeply concerned" by the allegations against UNRWA and have said they have "no plans" to provide further support.
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