Foreign Minister Penny Wong has shed light on the humanitarian work of a U.N. relief agency operating in Gaza amid Australia pausing funding on Jan. 27.
Australia joined multiple nations in suspending funding to the U.N. Relief Works Agency (UNRWA) after allegations emerged that staff may have been involved in the Hamas terrorist attack against Israel.
However, the opposition raised concerns about these possible links to Hamas a few weeks ago.
The attacks by Hamas on Israel on Oct. 7 killed more than 1,200 and led to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declaring “we are at war.”
The United States, Canada, Germany, Finland, Japan and the United Kingdom are among other nations that have paused funding to the U.N. relief agency.
However, Ms. Wong said thousands of Palestinians in Gaza are starving during a joint press conference with New Zealand allies in Melbourne.
She noted Australian governments have been funding the U.N. relief agency since 1951, highlighting it is the only organisation delivering “substantive support.”
“More than 1.4 million Palestinians are sheltering within UNRWA facilities. And 3,000 of the workers for that association are working on the humanitarian response in the most trying of conditions. That is the context in which Australia and Australians provide humanitarian assistance to UNRWA.”
However, at the time, opposition home affairs spokesperson James Paterson raised concerns about funding to the UNRWA, explaining it had been linked to Hamas in the past.
“UNRWA is an organisation which we cannot be assured Australian taxpayers money is well spent and I do want the government to be able to reassure Australians that taxpayers money won’t end up finding its way to Hamas because they funded UNRWA,” he said on Jan. 17.
Shadow foreign minister Simon Birmingham also urged Australia to pause funding for the UNRWA after news emerged that the U.S. was taking action.
What are the Allegations?
An Israeli document shared with UNRWA and international officials details allegations against 12 UNRWA workers allegedly involved in the Oct. 7 attack on Israel.Seven were said to have stormed Israeli territory; one helped steal a soldier’s body, and another participated in a kidnapping.
Ten were listed with ties to Hamas and one with an Islamic Jihad militant group, while two of them have now been killed, the document said.
The relief agency has terminated the contracts of involved staff members and launched an investigation to establish the truth “without delay.”
UNRA commissioner-general Philippe Lazzarini said any employee who was involved in acts of terror will be held accountable, including via criminal prosecution.
“UNRWA reiterates its condemnation in the strongest possible terms of the abhorrent attacks of Oct. 7, and calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all Israeli hostages and their safe return to their families,” Mr. Lazzarini said.
Foreign Minister Directs Humanitarian Coordinator to Coordinate with UNRWA
Ms. Wong noted Australia has made clear the allegations are “deeply concerning” but revealed she has directed Australia’s humanitarian coordinator to coordinate with the UNRWA and like-minded partners.“We have made clear that they need to be thoroughly investigated and those responsible need to be held account. And I have directed this week Australia’s Humanitarian Coordinator to lead urgent work coordinating with like-minded partners as well UNRWA on these and other matters,” Ms. Wong said.
“But I think it is important that we remember why it is, that previous governments have funded this organisation, but also the scale of the humanitarian crisis and the absence of any alternatives. If we are serious about trying to ensure that fewer children are starving. That is what we are faced with.”
The U.S. has paused funding to the UNRWA while they review allegations and the “steps the United Nations is taking to address them.”
The U.S. welcomed the U.N.’s decision to conduct an investigation and “comprehensive and independent” assessment and review.
Ms. Thomas-Greenfield reiterated that the U.S. was “extremely troubled” by allegations that 12 UNRWA employees may have been involved in the attack on Oct. 7.
“UNRWA brought this information to us, and they are conducting an investigation. They’re taking it very seriously. So, I’m not going to get ahead of the investigation that they are conducting, but I know that we need to see fundamental changes before we can resume providing funding directly to UNRWA.”
