BBC, SKY AND THE DISASTERS EMERGENCY COMMITTEE

That this House believes that the BBC and Sky should broadcast the Disasters Emergency Committee's (DEC) humanitarian aid appeal for Gaza aid relief and reconstruction; further believes that civilians in the Gaza Strip are in desperate need of food, medicine, water and blankets; notes that the DEC is an umbrella organisation for 13 aid agencies, including the British Red Cross, who are certain they can carry out their aid operation both with impartiality and the access they need; understands that the Kerem Shalom, Nahal Oz and Erez crossings from Israel into Gaza are all now open and over 26,000 tons of aid and 1.9 million litres of fuel have entered since the ceasefire began; acknowledges the measures aid agencies are taking to avoid channelling funds or aid to Hamas using well-established, local non-governmental partners; recognises that Israel accepts the difficult humanitarian situation in Gaza and in doing so has appointed Welfare Minister, Isaac Herzog, to co-ordinate humanitarian aid to Gaza; commends the UK Government for its contribution of £27 million aid to Gaza; welcomes the decision by ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 to air the DEC appeal; urges the BBC and Sky to raise any specific concerns they have about donations so they can be dealt with properly; and calls on Sky and the BBC to reverse their decision and broadcast the campaign, publicising the details of the DEC appeal and the means whereby members of the public may donate to it.