The UK government has been labelled “Hamas’ useful idiots” over the alleged lack of transparency when it comes to funding awarded to the Palestinian Authority (PA).
The comments, made by former home secretary Suella Braverman, reflected concern among some pro-Israel voices that the funding was not linked to requirements for reform and deradicalisation.
Earlier this week, alongside a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with the PA, the government unveiled a £101 million package aimed at delivering humanitarian relief, support for Palestinian economic development, and strengthening PA governance and reform.
David Lammy, the foreign secretary, said the MoU and aid shipments were aimed at enhancing the Authority’s legitimacy as ministers continue to pursue a two-state solution.
"The UK is clear that there can be no role for Hamas in the future of Gaza and we are committed to working with the Palestinian Authority as the only legitimate governing entity in the Occupied Palestinian Territories”, he said at the time.
“We will not give up on the two-state solution, with a Palestinian state and Israel living side-by-side in peace, dignity and security. I reaffirm the UK’s commitment to recognising a Palestinian state as a contribution to that process, at a time that has the greatest impact”, he added.
However, the Foreign Office has refused to elaborate on what guarantees are in place to ensure the money is spent appropriately.
Sources within the department told the JC: “All our aid undergoes rigorous oversight. The UK remains committed to providing serious, practical and enduring support to the Palestinian Authority as they take much-needed steps to enact reform.”
Following the announcement Braverman, the chair of Conservative Friends of Israel, accused the government of refusing to stand with Israel.
“This is clearly an absurd situation and continues a perverse pattern of behaviour from the government. Labour’s weakness and refusal to stand by Israel has shown they are Hamas's useful idiots”, she said.
Similarly, campaign group the Taxpayers’ Alliance said that the lack of transparency when it came to British funding of the PA was “a source of grave concern”.
Jonathan Eida, researcher at the TaxPayers' Alliance told the JC: “There is a strong argument for reconsidering whether any taxpayer cash should go towards this organisation at all.
"The Foreign Office needs to urgently reassure British taxpayers that not a penny of their cash is going towards some of the appalling policies of the Palestinian Authority."
And during a debate in the House of Lords following the visit of PA Prime Minister Mohamed Mustafa to the UK, Conservative Peer Baroness Foster questioned the award of £101 million, describing the PA as “a corrupt organisation that supported the October 7 attacks on Israel”.
She went on to say it “that has no control over Hamas or the several terrorist groups on the West Bank, and that has done nothing to call for the release of the 59 hostages—which is a war crime—or the laying down of weapons by Hamas” and questioned what the extra funding to the PA would achieve.
But Baroness Chapman, the development minister, responded by saying that Foster’s “tone” was unhelpful.
“Perhaps the noble Baroness is not seeking a two-state solution, I do not know. We do not recognise her characterisation of the Palestinian Authority. I met with them myself last week, and I would encourage her to do that should she wish to educate herself about this”, she told peers.
But critics of the government’s position point to the fact that European Union funding to the PA has been explicitly linked to clearly defined benchmarks, including democratic and anti-corruption reforms.
A European Commission Spokesperson told the JC: “On 14 April 2025, the EU presented a Multiannual Comprehensive Programme of support worth up to €1.6 billion of grants and loans. On the one hand, it addresses Palestine’s most pressing needs, builds institutional capacities, and supports the implementation of the Palestinian reform agenda; on the other hand, it fosters Palestinian recovery and resilience.”
They added: “The programme will cover the period from 2025 to 2027 has been structured around three pillars: The support to the Palestinian Authority; An integrated approach for the recovery and stabilisation of the West, Bank and, conditions permitting, in Gaza; The support for the private sector”.
The spokesperson added that: “Most of the funds of the first pillar of the Comprehensive Programme will be linked to the Palestinian Authority’s progress on key reforms in fiscal sustainability, democratic governance, private sector development, and public services and infrastructures, contributing to sustainable state-building across Palestinian territories.
“The reform agenda contains clear implementation benchmarks, indicators and reform milestones, and a robust monitoring and evaluation framework. This will include regular progress reports, audits, and evaluations to ensure accountability and transparency.”
However, when asked explicitly whether the PA would lose EU funding unless it committed to removing hate education and welfare payments to Palestinian prisoners (described as “pay for slay”) the commission declined to “speculate on possible outcomes”.
In February, PA President Mahmoud Abbas signed a decree to end the so-called “pay for slay” payments, but this was dismissed by Israel as “as a new fraudulent exercise by the PA, which intends to continue making payments to terrorists and their families through other channels”.
