Supplementary memorandum submitted by
DFID following the oral evidence session of 24 October 2006
Does the UK Government give development assistance
to countries which do not recognise Israel and have not renounced
violence? (Q7 to Martin Dinham)
The UK government, bilaterally and through our
share of EU and other multilateral assistance, does provide development
and humanitarian assistance to countries that do not have diplomatic
relations with Israel. Yemen and Afghanistan, very poor countries
facing many challenges, are examples. However, whether or not
these countries recognise Israel does not undermine the potential
effectiveness of that development assistance.
The case of the occupied Palestinian territory
(oPt) is unique in that poverty will not be reduced without peace
with Israel. A Palestinian government that does not recognise
Israel's right even to exist, or renounce violence against the
Israeli people, is not a government that is committed to peace.
This is why the Quartet parties—Russia, the United Nations,
the European Union, and the United States—have together
urged the Hamas-led government to recognise Israel, renounce violence,
and commit to existing peace agreements if they are to be a partner
for development.
What has been provided or is intended, in terms
of new wells, or maintenance of existing pipe work, or delivery
to households, for the £1.5 million the Government has put
into water and sanitation under the TIM? (Q103 to David Hallam)
DFID funds earmarked for water and sanitation
under the Temporary International Mechanism (TIM) will pay for
the operation, maintenance and repair of water and sanitation
services in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank over the next six
months. This will potentially benefit up to 1.5 million people.
In the Gaza Strip, DFID funding will support
the operation, maintenance and repair of 120 wells, pipe networks
and wastewater treatment plants. It will provide chlorine supplies
for drinking water, making it safe to drink. It will also enable
the continued operation of essential front line services such
as water tankers, which provide drinking water to parts of the
Gaza Strip.
In the West Bank, DFID funds will provide spare
parts and support the rehabilitation of the water and sanitation
network in a cluster of villages around south Bethlehem and Hebron.
This will ensure improved access to piped water, improved efficiency
of existing networks, and better public health and environmental
conditions.
November 2006
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