Penny Wong speaks with UN about frozen aid for Gaza
Foreign Minister Penny Wong has spoken with the head of the UN Palestinian refugee relief agency weeks after Australia froze aid.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong in the Senate chamber at Parliament House in Canberra, Tuesday, December 5, 2023. (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas)
It follows reports an Israeli dossier relied on to suspend funding to the agency did not contain evidence to link its staff with the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7.
Senator Wong spoke with the head of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA), Philippe Lazzarini, on Wednesday.
“We recognise the importance of that organisation, which is why we’ve doubled the core funding, and I spoke with him about the various inquiries and investigations they are doing,” she told reporters in Canberra on Thursday.
“We spoke about ensuring that donors such as Australia can have the confidence to ensure that the pause is lifted because this is important for the people of Gaza and the people of the occupied Palestinian territories.”
In late January, the federal government joined 17 other nations in suspending funding for the agency after Tel Aviv accused dozens of its staff of taking part in the attack.
The move was criticised by international aid organisations and the Palestinian representative in Australia as collective punishment and a severe hindrance to Palestinians’ wellbeing.
Greens leader Adam Bandt said the government could immediately restart funding for the UN relief agency.
“It is crystal clear that this funding is crucial to help avert a humanitarian catastrophe,” he said.
“People need humanitarian assistance, and they need it right now.”
AAP
How can anyone be assured of anything by the head of the snake that promotes genocide, infanticide, and rape? Why should Australian taxpayers help fund UNWRA which is responsible for the promotion of these heinous crimes against humanity,