In response to the conflict in Gaza, the UK Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation has issued General License INT/2023/3749168 pursuant to regulation 31 of the Counter-Terrorism (International Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019.
The new general license allows “relevant persons” to perform “relevant activities” if such persons believe that the activities are necessary to provide humanitarian assistance and support basic human needs, and have no reason to suspect otherwise. Under the general license, “Relevant Person” includes the United Nations and its various programs, non-governmental organizations participating in those programs, Médecins Sans Frontières International and its institutional members and affiliates, UK funded persons, and employees, subsidiaries, grantees and implementing partners of the enumerated organizations. “Relevant Activity” is defined as the provision of humanitarian assistance and basic human needs, the processing and payment of funds to support the provision of such assistance as long as they relate to the current conflict with Israel. Funds used to carry out activities permitted by the general license may not be owned, held or controlled by a designated person unless a designated person “has received funds, goods or services in exchange for those economic resources from a Relevant Person to Perform Relevant Activities.”
Persons making use of the general license must report their names and contact information, along with details about the activity conducted pursuant to the license, and the value of the resources involved.
The provisions of General License INT/2023/3749168 expire on May 15, 2024.